Steven Pressley watched with pride as Luke Graham made his Scotland debut in Saturday's Nations League win over North Macedonia. The Dundee head coach believes the defender's first cap will be the first of many and the start of a promising international career.
Graham came off the bench to help see out the win, and Dundee will receive a five-figure fee from Stoke City when he makes his first start, as part of his summer transfer.
Pressley proud of former defender
Pressley said: "I was very pleased. It will be nice to see him go on and get his first start."
"When you consider, a year ago, to think now he is an international player is fantastic for him. It says everything about his development, attitude and mindset. We are all really pleased about that."
The Stoke City new boy did not look out of place as he won his first cap. Pressley believes it is a real benefit for Graham that new Scotland boss Sebastien Pocognoli wants to play with three central defenders, and that his ex-player fits into that system well.
System fit and development path
Pressley said: "I would hope so (there will be more caps). When you look at the squad, they have got some good centre backs there."
"One of the real positives for Luke is that it would appear that the new manager has a preference to play with three centre backs. That all gives him more opportunities to play because there is not an abundance of left centre backs. From his perspective, that is a real positives."
Pressley opened the first-team door for Graham at Dundee after the defender returned from a loan spell at Falkirk. Graham grabbed his chance and has not looked back, having previously gone on loan to Lochee, Albion Rovers, Montrose and the Bairns.
Watching players progress
Pressley said: "The thing I enjoy about my job is watching others develop and progress. That is my biggest enjoyment these days."
"Winning games of football gives you an immediate lift and immediate rush, but that goes away very quickly."
"The one thing that gives you a lot of satisfaction and enjoyment, is watching players that you have had an involvement in, even if it is just a small involvement, seeing them progressing and down well for themselves."
"Luke comes under that bracket, where we have given the opportunity and support and he has really grasped it."
"As a result, I take a lot of satisfaction from seeing him develop."
