Steven Naismith hails Findlay Curtis’ impact with scope for Scotland progression

Scotland assistant coach Steven Naismith praised the impact of Findlay Curtis as he stressed there was plenty of scope for progression into the squad.

The 19-year-old winger was included in Steve Clarke’s squad for friendlies against Japan and Ivory Coast after making an immediate impression when joining Kilmarnock on loan from Rangers in January.

Naismith, who also won his first Scotland call-up while playing for Killie, said: “Selecting a squad – even for the qualifiers – has been tough because we’ve probably got a core group of older players who, if they’re fit and ready, they’ll be here.

“But below that, there’s a lot of variation in terms of players who could come in. You look at some of the names that have missed out, whether it be through injury or unfortunate not to be selected, guys that have come back in.

“Tommy Conway, for instance, is somebody who’s having a really good season, had to be patient – probably could argue he could have been in a few of the squads before – and then he’s in.

“There’s areas of the pitch that every generation has their strong areas in. They’re areas that maybe there’s not as many options, but we’ve got a real quality squad and the best thing for me is there’s the younger guys that are coming in.

“An example being Findlay Curtis this time, very first time in.

“He’s been really good. I think what’s helped him is he’s been around the Rangers squad for the last couple of seasons, had a big impact at the start of the season and then he’s continued to play, so I think he’s comfortable in the environment.

“I remember getting a late call-up for my debut and you’re like, ‘this is a different world to what I’m used to’.

“For us to keep making tournaments, we need the younger players to come in and not just be buzzing that they’re part of a squad. They need to go, ‘I want to get my cap number up’.”

Curtis was the only surprise in the squad but Naismith believes there is still time for others to break into Clarke’s World Cup plans.

“The best example of that is the Euros that Billy (Gilmour) and Nathan (Patterson) got their break in,” he said. “They had no experience, but the manager’s willing to take them to a tournament.

“The manager’s conscious of making sure that the progression of the squad is good and that’s not just young players. That’s a Greg Taylor, a Stephen O’Donnell, Declan Gallagher coming into the squad, Andy Considine.

“It doesn’t matter where you’re playing. If the manager thinks you can be useful with the squad and improve the squad or help the squad out at certain points, he’ll select you.

“Just because they’ve not made this one, the manager is constantly looking. We connect with clubs to find out the availability, where players are, even coming back from injury.

“The only thing that players can do is consistently play well and that will give them their best chance to make the World Cup squad.”