Rangers winger Barrie McKay has dazzled the Ibrox crowd over the last year.
Scotland manager Gordon Strachan
Scotland manager Gordon Strachan has told The Scottish Sun that he thinks Rangers winger Barrie McKay is ready for international football.
Strachan’s men hammered Malta 5-1 on Sunday night to kick off their 2018 World Cup qualifying campaign in style, with goals from Chris Martin and Steven Fletcher adding to a hat-trick from Robert Snodgrass.
The Scotland team included a number of young players, such as Callum Paterson, Andrew Robertson and Oliver Burke, giving fans a glimpse of what is hopefully a bright future ahead for Scotland.
Rangers’ Barrie McKay (R) in action with Livingston’s Jackson Longridge
Judging when those burgeoning young talents are ready for the international stage is a tough task for Strachan, but some of his substitutes could be on the verge of making an impact in the starting line-up.
Winger Barrie McKay may have endured a slow start to life with Rangers following a 2011 move from Kilmarnock, but he’s come on leaps and bounds since the appointment of Mark Warburton, and is now a key player at Ibrox.
Rangers’ Barrie McKay is fouled by Alloa’s Kyle McAusland in the area resulting in a penalty to Rangers
The 21-year-old hit he headlines last season with a stunning long-range goal against Celtic, and ended the campaign with nine goals to his name as he proved himself as one of the top young talents in Scottish football.
McKay had to make do with a place on the bench as Scotland beat Malta, but it seems like only a matter of time before he is one of the top choices at Strachan’s disposal in the final third.
Scotland manager Gordon Strachan
In fact, speaking to The Scottish Sun after the game, Strachan suggested that he thinks McKay – as well as Hibernian star John McGinn – are ready for international football, and hopes they have enjoyed the experience of being with the senior side over the weekend.
“With Snoddy and James Forrest, it’s like having new players — they bring pace, ability and determination,” said Strachan. “Then you add in the younger players, who I hope have enjoyed the experience, and made them stronger and better. Barrie McKay and John McGinn, they’re ready. I’ve no problem with them,” he added.
Do you think McKay is ready for regular international football?
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