Zagreb’s Maksimir Stadium would be as fitting a place as any for Liam Lindsay to make his Scotland debut on Saturday.
If selected to play by Steve Clarke against Croatia in the latest instalment of the Nations League, it would also provide the backdrop for a school reunion.
A dozen years since the now Preston North End centre-half walked out with Andy Robertson to represent St Ninian’s High School in Giffnock, there’s every chance that the paths of their respective journeys in this intriguing old game will finally cross again.
‘Andy’s a year older than me,’ Lindsay explained. ‘So, we didn’t really cross paths until maybe fifth, sixth year. We were in the same senior team.
‘I think he actually played number 10. I think it was either number 10 or striker for the school team.
Preston defender Liam Lindsay has been called up to the Scotland squad
Liam Lindsay (back middle) and Andy Robertson (front middle) played in the same school team
‘I didn’t play defence back then with him, but he’s obviously kicked on a little touch, hasn’t he? I’ve not really kept in contact or anything. So, it’ll be good to see him.’
Robertson’s progression from that point to this might be said with some understatement to be impressive. It culminated in him winning the English Premier League and Champions League across seven years with Liverpool. The skipper of the
Scotland side which ended a generation of failure by qualifying for the Euros in 2020, he strapped the armband back on and did it all again to lead the side to Euro 2024.
In Croatia, the full-back stands to win his 77th cap, drawing level with Alex McLeish and Paul McStay in fourth place in the all-time list. Not bad for a player who was released by Celtic and started again at Queen’s Park.
Lindsay, by contrast, has spent his professional years on the outside peering through the glass at international football.
After starting out at Partick Thistle, he earned a move to Barnsley where he experienced the sharply contrasting emotions of relegation and promotion in successive years.
There were two years at Stoke City prior to moving to Deepdale in 2021. Despite his case for recognition by Scotland often being compelling, the phone has never rung.
‘I think over the last few years I’ve always been mentioned, be it the media or whatever,’ he said.
‘I’ve never lost faith. I just had to keep continuing what I was doing for my club.
‘I’ve been playing consistently and been playing well for the last two years.
‘I was just trying to get my best chance to get in the squad and thankfully it’s come.’
Steve Clarke has named his squad for Nations League ties with Croatia and Portugal
West Ham midfielder Andy Irving has also been called up for the first time
While Andy Irving’s first call-up demonstrates Clarke’s willingness to infuse the party with younger talents, the inclusion of Lindsay, at 28, and Nicky Devlin, 30, shows the manager is also prepared to trust men on form at club level.
Lindsay certainly believes his first venture into this environment comes as he’s playing the best football of his career.
‘Yeah, I think so,’ he said. ‘I moved down here when I was, I think, 20, 21. I had a good few seasons for Barnsley. We got relegated, mind you, but we went straight back up and then I moved to Stoke. Stoke was a bit of a sticky time in my career. I wasn’t playing as much and then I moved to Preston.
‘I didn’t get going straight away, but after a year I started playing consistently.
‘The last few years I feel I’ve got a lot of trust from the manager, the players.
‘I feel like I’m at my prime now. I’ve been playing the best football of my career.’
He credits former Hibs boss Paul Heckingbottom, now in charge of Preston, for trusting in him.
Former Scotland midfielder Stuart McCall, the club’s assistant manager, has taken delight in seeing Lindsay finally recognised at the top level.
‘Yes, he is (thrilled for me),’
Lindsay added. ‘He’s a character. I don’t know if he’s coming to both the games, but he’ll definitely be at Hampden (for Portugal), I’m sure.’
Lindsay is no stranger to playing in such arenas. Back in 2017, when Heckingbottom first had him at Barnsley, he played against Spurs at Wembley in a fourth round Carabao Cup tie as the Premier League club awaited construction of their new stadium.
Given he was asked to mark Son Heung-min that day, a one-goal loss was no disaster.
‘That was a while ago now, but it was good,’ recalled Lindsay. ‘You’re obviously playing against top class individuals, so that was great. You see the difference in levels, but we actually did well.
‘It was great to play at Wembley. I think I got Dele Alli’s jersey. That was good.
‘That was my first taste of a proper top team game. You want to be competing against the best and, yes, that game’s right up there.’
He regrets the fact that Jack Hendry, his one-time Partick defensive partner, won’t be around this week after being injured playing for Saudi club Al-Ettifaq but believes he won’t be short on sources of inspiration.
‘Obviously when I get a foot in the door on Monday, I’ll be leaning on the likes of Grant (Hanley), Ryan (Porteous) and the boys that are in because they’ve obviously got international experience.
‘I played with Angus Gunn when he was at Stoke and I’ve obviously crossed paths with other boys who play in the Championship.
‘Even back up in Scotland, I played against (Lawrence) Shankland when I was young.’
He won’t be short on free advice. Lindsay’s father James was on the books of Celtic as a goalkeeper and his uncle is former St Mirren midfielder Ricky Gillies.
Lindsay will look to learn from Grant Hanley when he joins up with the Scotland squad
‘I went to a few of Ricky’s games at St Mirren,’ he explained. ‘I was only young. I was a ball boy a couple of times.
‘I think every young boy wants to be a footballer, don’t they? I saw the enjoyable stuff about it. He did make me want to be a footballer.’
Acutely aware that the absences of Hendry, Scott McKenna, Liam Cooper and Kieran Tierney have disrupted Clarke’s backline, Lindsay — who never featured at underage level for his country — intends savouring every moment.
Citing examples of others who have grasped their opportunity under similar circumstances, the intention is to make sure that his first call-up isn’t his last.
‘There’s boys that are injured at the moment,’ he added. ‘There’s obviously (the example of) Scott McKenna, Jack’s obviously come in and did really well.
‘Everyone has taken their chance, really, and that’s what I’m looking to do. Especially being a centre-back, I think you hit your prime a little bit later.
‘I’ve got a lot of experience now domestically, and I’ll be trying to lean on that. I’m just thankful and honoured that it’s come.
‘If I do get to put on that jersey, I’ll just try to take it in my stride and relish it.’
