Cambuslang midfielder Kenny McLean cemented his place in Scottish football history by scoring the fifth penalty in the shoot-out win over Serbia last week.
Taking the fifth and decisive penalty in the play-off final in Belgrade came just weeks after earning the country a spot in the final with the key spot-kick against Israel.
However, his former coach at St Mirren, David Longwell, admits it was never in doubt – and said the Norwich star has always had the confidence for these nail-biting moments.
While the nation watched through fingers or from behind the couch as the game went all the way, Longwell had faith the Lanarkshire man would slot the ball home in Belgrade last week.
He said: “I texted him after he took his penalty ‘coolness personified’ and he has such a confidence about himself, which is a great trait to have.
“He’s always had that, and I think anybody that knows Kenny well enough knew he was going to score those two penalties.
“That’s just because of the confidence he has in his own ability.
“As soon as we saw him he handled the ball so well and moved really well. We signed him after watching him in one session because he looked that good, he just needed time to develop physically.
“Even then, he had a calmness and a real confidence when he was on the ball.
“He has an incredible talent and belief in himself that he is going to do things that others can’t do.
“I knew he would score those penalties, even at that level, under that pressure.”
Longwell reckons the contribution of McLean is huge to the Scots earning their place at a major finals for the first time in 22 years – even though David Marshall’s save grabbed all the headlines.
“It’s testament to Kenny the level he is at now,” he said.
“He could easily start more games and he has started some, and the fact that he is the fifth penalty taker shows that Steve Clarke knows what he brings.
“That is the guy that is going to get you through.
“David Marshall got a lot of the headlines because of his save, but for Kenny to step up and score that fifth penalty showed supreme confidence.
“He was under a lot of pressure, and it’s incredible.
“He deserves so many plaudits for how he contributes to these two games and gets Scotland through.”
McLean will be hoping to add to his 16 caps with an outing against Israel in tonight's Nations League clash.
Follow Lanarkshire Live Sport on Twitter via @LanLiveSport, like us on Facebook or find us on Instagram for the latest sports news, pictures and video.
