Alan Brazil knows how hard it is to succeed as a Manchester United player.
From personal experience, he’s acutely aware of how difficult it can be to nail down a spot in the team.
And he also says that if you don’t win over the Old Trafford fans early on, it can be a tough place to play.
That’s why the former Scotland striker has so much admiration for Scott McTominay.
Brazil has been hugely impressed by the 24-year-old’s progress over the last few years for club and country.
And after watching him excel for United this season, he’s tipped him to be one of Steve Clarke ’s key men at the Euro Finals.
At 24 himself, Brazil spent two years at the Red Devils, battling it out with the likes of Frank Stapleton and Mark Hughes to play up front.
Injuries hampered him but he managed 16 goals for Manchester United before eventually being moved on to Coventry City in 1986.
Brazil is now a presenter and outspoken pundit on talkSPORT.
And he has praised McTominay for defying the doubters and becoming a regular under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer at Old Trafford.
He believes no other Scottish player has shown the same level of development as the midfielder – and he can’t wait to see him thrive for Clarke’s team this summer. Brazil said: “For me, McTominay is the most improved Scotland player out there.
“He’s now got authority on the pitch. He’s good on the ball, he’s muscled up and has a real physical presence.
“He doesn’t give possession away and I’m really impressed by how his career’s going now.
“He’s done brilliantly for Man United and Scotland.
“When he first came on the scene, people down here probably thought: ‘He’s a young Scottish boy, he won’t be good enough for United’.
“There were groans about him early on. And listen, I’ve played there and if you don’t hit it off right away at Old Trafford, they’re on your back.
“But this kid has prospered over time. That’s not an easy place to play your football when you’re young.
“But he’s come on in leaps and bounds and is a massive asset for Scotland going into the Euros. He’s got a presence about him now – you saw that in the Europa League final recently against Villarreal.
“He wants the ball and he’s so strong on it. I look at our midfield for Scotland now and we’re very good in there.”
McTominay is part of a new breed of Scottish players who are taking the Premier League by storm.
With Andy Robertson, Kieran Tierney, John McGinn, Stuart Armstrong and Billy Gilmour, we’re now well represented again in England’s top flight.
Brazil feels encouraged by the young players
coming through, particularly teenage Chelsea star Gilmour.
Back in 1982, he was the youngest player selected for Scotland’s World Cup squad.
He even started the first match, a 5-2 win over New Zealand, alongside the legendary Kenny Dalglish.
He thrived on the experience and hopes current gaffer Clarke also gives youth a chance. Brazil said: “Without a doubt, Steve has to show some faith in these young players.
“I’m not trying to tell him what to do because I really like him.
“Being a Celtic man, I’d have loved him to take the manager’s job at Parkhead.
“But I hope he stays with Scotland for a long time now.
“And if he does, our talented kids will benefit from that.
“I went to the Spain World Cup in 1982 as the youngest player in the squad. And on my birthday, June 15, I kicked off with my hero, Dalglish.
“I idolised Kenny as a kid and I had to pinch myself at the time. I just couldn’t believe it.
“But we’ve some fantastic young players now and it’s important they get a chance to play, just like I did.
“Look at Tierney, Robertson, McGinn, who has been fantastic for Aston Villa.
“And Gilmour will definitely start to get a regular game for Chelsea very soon. I’ve no doubt about that. Everyone I’ve spoken to, including Frank Lampard, tells me the boy’s a real talent and he’ll eventually play in the first team.
“We’ve got nothing to lose in the Euros. We are there, thank God, after all these years.
“So let these boys in, play them.
“I’m not one of these guys who thinks if you put kids into a poor side and they get battered, it affects their progress.
“No, I don’t agree with that. If he’s good enough, I don’t care what age he is.
“Get them in and let them love it. Look at Phil Foden with England.
“Foden was going to leave but then Pep Guardiola decided he had to play now. Look at what he’s achieved at Manchester City, he’s been magnificent.”
Scotland’s first game at the Euros is against Czech Republic at Hampden a week tomorrow before that mouth-watering clash against England at Wembley four days later.
Brazil, who lives and works down south, can’t wait.
And even though Clarke’s boys will go in as huge underdogs, he wants them to show no fear against the Auld Enemy.
Brazil said: “I hope the English underestimate us, with a bit of luck.
“I hear people talking down here about them winning it. They’ve got a squad capable of doing it and they have home advantage.
“But wouldn’t it be great if we went out at Wembley with nothing to lose and got wired into them?
“I would forget tactics. I would
just be telling the players, go out and make history.
“This is Wembley, what a chance you’ve got to make a name for yourself. Go and enjoy it and let’s see how good this England team really is.
“That would be my message.
“If we roll our sleeves up we might get a wee bit of luck – we could see a worldie goal from McTominay or an overhead kick from McGinn.
“Of course, we can beat them. It’s a one-off game and I just hope we relax, play with no fear and go for it.
“We’ve got a fighting chance and we shouldn’t be scared of anyone in that group.”
Only Here For a Visit by Alan Brazil is out now in Paperback (£8.99).
