Wednesday 5 November 2014 10:16, UK
Rangers midfielder Lewis Macleod has been called into the Scotland squad for their upcoming matches against Republic of Ireland and England.
The 20-year-old is a member of the senior squad for the first time, having been capped at every level from U16s to U21s.
He has been in fine form for Rangers in the Championship this season, scoring seven goals to catch the eye of Scotland boss Gordon Strachan.
Scotland will play the Republic in a crucial European Championship qualifier at Celtic Park on Friday 14 November before facing England in a friendly at the same venue four days later.
Stoke City full-back Phil Bardsley has been recalled to the squad in the absence of the injured Alan Hutton while Sheffield Wednesday striker Stevie May retains his place and Celtic's Charlie Mulgrew returns from injury and suspension.
Regarding the selection of Macleod, Strachan said: “I get good reports from our coaches up here, people who have played against him, people who work with him.
“I’m looking forward to seeing him and working with him.
“I saw his first game of the season, caught up on others on video, and have other people who watch games. It is easy to find out if someone is playing well and is good to work with.
“I like bringing young players along, they add enthusiasm to the squad. We get to know them and that will be beneficial when they come in the next time.
"If things go well this week you never know what might happen."
Hutton misses out, having been in impressive form, but Strachan said: “It could have been worse.
“It could have been a lot worse, if we did not have anybody we think is good to come in.
“We do feel we have players who can come in. They might play a bit differently to Alan, who has his own style, which has been great for us, but others will come in and do what they do well.”
Macleod himself said on Tuesday that his selection came as a complete surprise.
"I got a text last night off somebody and I didn't recognise the number," he said.
"I just ignored it so I heard the news when I woke up and I saw it on the press conference on TV.
"It's great to be involved for these two games and I'm really looking forward to it. To be honest, I didn't expect it at all.
"The U21s have games and I was thinking about them a bit more, so it's a surprise to be in the senior squad, but I'm buzzing.
"I always believe in myself and I know what I can do but the main thing for me is to be involved just now.
"I'm still young but there have been boys picked for the squad already who are around my age, so that just pushes you on and makes you hungrier.
"It's good that my hard work so far has paid off but I know I've got a lot more hard work still to do.
"It's just surreal to think that I'm going to be involved in the squad and I can't wait."
Scotland squad: Gilks, Gordon, Marshall, Bardsley, Berra, Forsyth, Greer, Hanley, R Martin, Robertson, Whittaker, Anya, Bannan, S Brown, Bryson, Burke, Dorrans, Fletcher, Maloney, McArthur, Morrison, Mulgrew, Fletcher, Macleod, C Martin, May, Naismith.
