Steve Clarke believes that Rangers full-back Nathan Patterson and Chelsea midfielder Billy Gilmour could be the difference for Scotland in their World Cup Qualifier against Israel.
Scotland currently sit second in Group F, seven points behind leaders Denmark and one ahead of third-placed Israel.
Therefore, Saturday’s 5pm kick-off at Hampden Park is a massive game.
The only two Rangers players in the home squad are Nathan Patterson and Jon McLaughlin, but former Rangers Academy starlets Billy Gilmour and Liam Kelly are both also involved.
Ahead of the game, when asked if relative international newcomers Patterson and Gilmour could be the difference against an Israel side that has faced Scotland multiple times in the recent past, Clarke said: “They can be” [Daily Record].
“Listen, they will have watched us. They will have watched Nathan play for us and watched Billy for us. I’m sure they do their homework as diligently as we do ours.
“But it’s nice because I feel we keep evolving. You talk about bringing in the younger ones, and that just helps to keep the squad evolving.”
Clarke is giving Patterson and Gilmour every chance to make decisive contributions, as he’s named both in his starting XI.
Patterson got the nod ahead of Stephen O’Donnell at right wing-back, while Gilmour has been selected in the middle of the park, with more experienced players like Stuart Armstrong and Kenny McLean left on the bench.
McLaughlin and former Gers starlet Kelly are both substitutes, with Craig Gordon starting in goal.
In other news, a Rangers star was benched for a World Cup Qualifier as his international woes continue.
