Scotland manager Gordon Strachan says Graeme Shinnie has been firmly in his thoughts for a long time after finally handing the Aberdeen defender his first call-up to the national team.
The 24-year-old, capped twice at under-21 level, has been a standout performer for Scottish Premiership leaders Aberdeen this season.
Shinnie was widely tipped for a call-up to the national team during his time at Caley Thistle but the inclusion in Strachan’s squad never came.
But Strachan yesterday named Shinnie ahead of Derby County left back Craig Forsyth for the crucial Euro 2016 qualifiers against Poland and Gibraltar.
The national team manager said: “I have known about Graeme for a couple of years now but we have been strong in the areas he has been playing.
“But he has played so well it would be great to have a look at him. He can cover many positions, that is handy, and I look forward to working with him.
“He has had a successful season, he has been in a winning side so that helps when you bring people in who are on a high.”
Shinnie is not the only uncapped player included in Strachan’s squad for the final games against Poland at Hampden on October 8 and Gibraltar in Portugal three days later.
Wolves midfielder Kevin McDonald, 26, is also part of the squad, while Blackburn Rovers forward Jordan Rhodes returns at the expense of injured Celtic midfielder Stuart Armstrong.
On the inclusion of former Dundee midfielder McDonald, Strachan said: “Kevin was with us last year. He has had a great season again with Wolves. He is getting better and better as he gets older. He deserved to be here.”
Aberdeen’s Niall McGinn and Ryan McLaughlin have both been included in the Northern Ireland squad to face Greece and Finland, with Michael O’Neill’s side only one win away from a first major tournament in 30 years.
Dons forward Lawrence Shankland, currently on loan at St Mirren, has been named in the Scotland under-21 squad to face France and Iceland at Pittodrie, with former Dons Ryan Fraser and Declan McManus also included.
