Andy Halliday insists Barrie McKay’s Hearts form is deserving of a Scotland call-up.
The wide man scored an excellent winning goal as the Jambos won their opening day Premiership clash against Ross County at Tynecastle. And he provided a lovely no-look assist to put Lawrence Shankland in on goal for the number nine to open the scoring in last Sunday’s Edinburgh derby. He then missed a big second half chance to put the visitors 2-0 before Martin Boyle’s dramatic stoppage time leveller.
McKay led the assist table at Tynecastle last season, but is already off the mark for this campaign after taking seven months to score his first goal in maroon last year. Steve Clarke will pick his squad later this month ahead of September’s UEFA Nations League clashes away to Ukraine and at home to Ireland, before the Ukrainians return to Glasgow after their World Cup playoff victory back in June.
McKay had been tipped for inclusion earlier this year, but was overlooked by Clarke. Now Halliday is banging the drum for his former Rangers teammate after rediscovering his mojo at Tynecastle.“For me, Barrie McKay's form and quality deserves a call-up and he must be really close to knocking at the door,” he said.
“Glenn Middleton has a lot of quality and he's off to a great start but the Scotland squad is the strongest it's ever been and it'll be very difficult to break into and I think he's got a little way to go yet.”
As for domestic action, Halliday is targeting both trophies after May’s Scottish Cup final defeat to Rangers. Robbie Neilson’s side take on Kilmarnock in the second round of the Premier Sports Cup and Halliday wants to emulate the last Hearts side to lift silverware just over a decade ago.
“You see how highly regarded the 2012 team is still to this day and we want to try and emulate that,” said Halliday. “We want to win every competition we're in and we know that we're a very good team, but we also know how good Rangers and Celtic are. We'll try and win every cup we're in this year.
“Lewis Neilson, who came from Dundee United, hasn't actually played in the league yet but at 19 years old he's got all the attributes to go to the top and he'll certainly be a very good player for us in the future.
“Alan Forrest is really direct and we didn't have that in the team before so he gives us something different and no full-back wants to play against him. Lawrence Shankland guarantees goals and Jorge Grant has come up from Peterborough - everyone knows how good he is. “We've recruited really well in the summer and added players that will improve the squad as well as give us that depth that we missed last year.”
The manner of last weekend’s derby draw stung for Hearts. But they remain unbeaten in their two league fixtures so far. Halliday believes that is more impressive considering they weren’t at their best.
He added: “The opening day against Ross County showed already that we can win even when not playing our best and then the Edinburgh derby was frustrating because we were so close to the win but it's definitely a positive start to the season.
“Our home form at Tynecastle was excellent last year and that's something we'll try and replicate. We know the atmosphere is really good so if we can use that to our advantage again it'll stand us in good stead.
“We've added great players to the squad and I think we'll do really well. The aim for the season is obviously to win three points every Saturday but if we can win a trophy this time around it'd be great."
Andy Halliday was speaking on behalf of Grosvenor Sport.
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