Humza Yousaf admitted he would like to be “captain of the team” and become first minister one day.
He said: “I never plotted or planned where I would end up – whatever role I have been given, I have just tried to do my best.
“ Nicola Sturgeon is by far the greatest asset we have and is someone who believes passionately in independence.
“A lot of my colleagues have been spoken of as future leaders – Kate Forbes, Angus Robertson, Ian Blackford.
“No disrespect to any of them or myself but the First Minister is head and shoulders above any of us.
"I always think that being in government is like being asked to play for your football team – being asked to represent your country in cabinet.
“And who wouldn’t want to be the captain at some point in the future, so I would never rule that out.”
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