Derek McInnes hopes for good representation in the Scotland squad today but has warned against expecting too much of teenager Lewis Ferguson.
Defenders Scott McKenna and Mikey Devlin as well as midfielders Graeme Shinnie and Gary Mackay-Steven are in the frame to keep their places in Alex McLeish’s squad, ahead of the Uefa Nations League qualifiers against Israel and Albania, but Ferguson’s match-winning performances in the last 10 days have garnered him nationwide headlines.
The summer-signing is already a member of Scot Gemmill’s under-21 squad following his impressive displays since joining from Hamilton but a call-up to the senior side perhaps comes too soon for the 19-year-old.
However, there is a good chance that a strong Aberdeen contingent will be present for this month’s internationals, which will give Scotland an early chance to secure a play-off spot for the 2020 European Championships.
McInnes said: “Selfishly, you want to make sure your own players are fit, but I know how important it is to them to represent Scotland.
“Hopefully if they’re in the squad they can play a part for Alex. We’ve got several who have been in and about it now and I would never say I expect them to be in it, but if they are hopefully they can get the game-time that will make it worthwhile for them.
“Whether Lewis is ready for it now, that’s not for me to decide, but the boy was born to play football.
“He was born to play in the big occasion and everything will come his way in time. It’s important we don’t all expect too much from him. But I know what I’m going to get from him week-to-week.”
Another youngster who contributed decisively to the win over Kilmarnock was Bruce Anderson, who came off the bench to net his second goal for the Dons and get them back on level terms at Rugby Park.
McInnes added: “I was pleased with Bruce’s overall game when he came off the bench.
“It was a half-chance with the outside of his boot. Bruce is probably the type of striker that will score those half-chances.
“You can certainly pick holes in Bruce’s game just now – such as leading the line, holding it up – but he did all that as well as getting the all-important goal. I’m delighted for him because I know how important it is for him to do well for Aberdeen. He loves the club.”