Steven Saunders has backed Declan Gallagher after the centre-back became the to start for Scotland in over 15 years.
Gallagher’s caps against Cyprus and Kazakhstan he becomes the first to make the first eleven since James McFadden against New Zealand in 2003.
The 28-year-old has made his way on to the slim list of players to be called up with plying their trade at Fir Park this decade – joining Saunders and Chris Cadden.
Having played alongside the centre-back during time at the Celtic youth academy and at Livingston, Saunders reckons he always had huge potential.
Now, he believes he can establish himself as one of the first names on Steve Clarke’s team sheet ahead of the crucial Euro 2020 play-off at Hampden against Israel.
He said: “Declan has always been a confident player and I expected him to play at a high level, but he has never had the chance until he got promoted with Livingston.
“You look at last season and Declan and Craig Halkett were outstanding, and now Declan has went on to take that extra step.
“When you go to there is a bit more pressure than at Livingston.
“You are expected to compete for the top six and Declan has hit the ground running again this season. He has shown he is comfortable at the top level in Scotland and offers a threat in either box.”
He went on: “Scotland are going through a bit of a transition right now.
“I think we are going to have to start looking more at the players who are in form and giving them a chance.
“Scott McKenna looks like he is going to be one of the centre-back choices going forward, so I would say Declan should be given his chance next to him.
“There isn’t loads of options and Declan is playing well.”
Saunders, 28, now plays in the Championship with Partick Thistle.
Having made his only appearance in front of the Tartan Army aged 19 he still looks back on it as one of his career highs.
“It was one of the high points of my career to play for Scotland,” he said.
“I would have liked to play more games for Scotland and the under-21 team but injuries meant that wasn’t possible.
“It was a last minute call-up and I wasn’t expecting to play.
“I was surprised when I got the call to come off the bench. I wasn’t nervous going in because I didn’t expect to play, but I was nervous when I came on.
“It’s one of those things I can look back on now in my career and be happy that I got to that level.”
Despite only a hand full of stars turning out in the claret and amber making the jump Scotland squad over the past decade, Saunders believes they have made their mark through youth products.
He added: “When you look back at the last decade there will be plenty of players who have appeared for the club who have went on to play for Scotland.”
