‘Miller should be in Clarke’s Scotland squad’

Lennon Miller will line up for Scotland Under-19s against Wales today. But should he instead be in Steve Clarke’s main squad for the Nations League visit of Croatia on Friday night?

At 18, Miller already has more than 50 club appearances under his belt and is the most exciting young talent at Scottish football right now.

Among those who believe he should be fast-tracked to a full Scotland cap are Sunday Mail chief football writer Scott McDermott.

“He should have been involved in this squad,” McDermott told the BBC’s Scottish football podcast.

“I just think exposing him to that environment at a young age would have done him the world of good. Just bringing him in, having a look at him, having the other players see him in training as well, letting the boy know himself the standard that he’s got to get to.

“There’s not many friendly games in international football now so you don’t really get many opportunities to blood these guys.”

Miller’s first-team experience at a tender age is the exception rather than the norm in the current Scottish game. A report by the Scottish FA earlier this year concluded that clubs in Scotland are failing to bring through enough young players.

“I do think it’s a cultural problem,” said McDermott. “There does seem to be a fear about throwing young players in early.

“I think young players need two things. The first one is a given and that’s talent. The second one isn’t and that’s opportunity. These boys need a chance to play in first teams.

“A few years ago in Motherwell’s academy, Miller played alongside Bailey Rice, who is at Rangers currently. If you ask most people, at that time Rice was on a par if not maybe even better than Miller.

“But look at the two of them now, the progress they’ve made. Rice, who’s been in and around the Rangers first team, has never quite had an opportunity. It feels like he’s playing catch-up now. So yeah, talent and opportunity.”