St Johnstone skipper Jason Kerr is a “strong candidate” for a future Scotland call-up, his manager Callum Davidson believes.
The McDiarmid Park centre-half has represented his country at under-21 level but is yet to feature in the senior team.
Latest recruits to the national squad are Hibernian's Paul McGinn and experienced Andrew Considine of Aberdeen, both defenders.
Davidson thinks the Perth club’s current Scottish Premiership position has not helped Kerr’s cause this time around.
But he said: “If you look at how Jason has performed this season he has to be up there as a contender.
“He has been very solid in a back three, playing right centre half.
“He also has the ability to step in and get forward to create chances, and he scored in midweek.
“Congratulations to those who have been called-up.
“But Jason’s chances of being called into the Scotland squad have probably been hampered by our position in the league rather than the way he has been playing.
“But if Scotland continue to play a back three in the future I’m sure Jason will be a strong candidate.”
Saints are back in Betfred Cup group stage action on Saturday afternoon following Wednesday’s 2-1 victory at Kelty Hearts.
Brechin City visit McDiarmid Park and Davidson said: “Injury-wise it was all-clear from the midweek game, everyone came through it. That’s good news.
“I will probably utilise the squad again. It might be on the smaller side but it is a strong squad.
“It was good to get game time into Callum Booth, Chris Kane and Craig Bryson. They will possibly get more minutes but we have to make sure the balance is right.
“We want to win the game obviously and no matter what team I put out I will feel comfortable with it.
“We had Brechin watched against Dundee United and I have seen some footage.
“They are an attacking team and had some great chances in the first-half. They will have a go so we have to make sure we put in a professional, disciplined performance.”
