Scotland Under 21s head coach Tony Docherty has praised the attitude of Serie A star Lennon Miller and Celtic full back Colby Donovan after they agreed to drop down to his squad for this month's double-header friendlies in Spain against Ukraine and the USA.
Both Miller, who has four Scotland caps, and Donovan were in Sebastien Pocognoli's previous full squad, but have now been included in the Under 21s squad, along with Hearts' James Wilson and Manchester United midfielder Tyler Fletcher, who have both won caps for the senior team too.
Pathway to game time
Former Dundee and Ross County boss Docherty spoke to both Miller, who started for Udinese in their last Serie A game against Roma, and Celtic first team regular Donovan to explain why they would be best served getting minutes in Spain.
He said: "I think you have got to give real credit to the players here. I have had a lot of dialogue with both Lennon Miller and Colby Donovan over the last couple of days to outline what their pathway is."
"If they are not going to be getting minutes in this camp with the A squad, then it is important they come into my squad and get game time."
Leadership and alignment
Docherty was thrilled at their responses and highlighted the example of Barney Stewart, who scored three goals for the Under 21s before returning to West Brom and breaking into their first team.
He said: "Lennon's situation is that there is a new manager at his club and he's had a chat with him too. The plan is he will hopefully play for Udinese on Friday and then come to the camp with us."
"We are all together in this - A squad, Under 21s, there is a real alignment there. It's a similar system with similar demands. So when these players do go back to the A squad - and I have no doubt they will - it will be seamless."
Bennie chooses Australia
Meanwhile, Scotland have lost the international tug-of-war battle with Australia for Dundee United kid Daniel Bennie. The on loan QPR winger is eligible for both nations but has already represented the Socceroos at youth level.
Docherty said: "I had three or four chats with Daniel, he's a good lad. He was born in Hong Kong, but he has parents from Glasgow and it was about giving him that opportunity because he is doing well at Dundee United."
"But unfortunately, there is an Under 23s Olympics event that's coming up with Australia and for the moment he has elected to stay with them because he has been involved with them for a while."
Scotland U21 squad in full
Goalkeepers: Sam Kane (Derby County), Rory Mahady (Leeds United), Aidan Rice (Dumbarton, on loan from Celtic).
Defenders: Daniel Armer (Manchester United), Murray Campbell (Burnley), Colby Donovan (Celtic), Josh Dede (Middlesbrough), Mitchel Frame (Aberdeen), Dylan Smith (Ross County), Ethan Sutherland (Exeter City, on loan from Wolves), John Tod (Dunfermline).
Midfielders: Calum Adamson (Raith Rovers, on loan from Rangers), Aidan Borland (Accrington Stanley, on loan from Aston Villa), Tyler Fletcher (Manchester United), Calum McLeod (Caley Thistle), Kyle Ure (Crewe, on loan from Celtic), Dylan Watret (Ayr United), Finlay Marshall (Aberdeen), Lennon Miller (Udinese).
Forwards: Alfie Stewart (Caley Thistle, on loan from Aberdeen), Eseosa Sule (St. Mirren), Andrew Tod (Dunfermline), James Wilson (Hearts).
