Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes reckons his player Ryan Jack is the second-best midfielder in Scotland – after Celtic captain Scott Brown.
The Dons manager believes Jack is capable of forcing his way into the Scotland set-up despite being overlooked by national manager Gordon Strachan for this month’s matches against Ireland and England.
Aberdeen defender Mark Reynolds, who was called up for last month’s matches against Georgia and Poland, is also left out of Strachan’s current squad.
But McInnes says his players should be aiming to force their way into the national team.
He said: “Mark was disappointed but accepts Scotland’s decision as there are a lot of good defenders in there.
“Gordon seems to be integrating a lot of youngsters who will probably be part of the team. He gets to look at them in training and brings them in for that experience, so I like that idea of what he is doing there.
“I’ve got players that could be in that mould, such as Peter Pawlett, but the biggest one for me at the minute is Ryan Jack.
“For me, outwith Scott Brown, he is the best Scottish midfielder in the league.
“I think he’s only going to get better and better. I do believe we’ve got players at Pittodrie who can force their way into future squads.
“I totally respect Gordon’s decision to omit my players and I hope it encourages my players to be hungry and show determination to force their way in.
“I believe I’ve got players who wouldn’t let anyone down in a Scotland jersey.”
Meanwhile, Aberdeen’s William Hill Scottish Cup fourth-round match against Dundee has been rearranged for television purposes.
The match will now kick off at 12.15pm on Saturday, November 29.
Rangers will face Kilmarnock the following day at 12.45pm, while Hearts will take on Celtic at 3.15pm.