Brian Graham believes his fellow Ross County forward Ross Stewart has the capabilities required to lead the line for Scotland in the future.
Stewart has made an impressive step up to the Premiership with the Staggies this season, netting in three of County’s opening five league matches, with seven goals to his name in all competitions.
Scotland boss Steve Clarke has alternated between different striking options during his early matches in charge of the national team, with Sheffield United’s Oli McBurnie and Kilmarnock’s Eamonn Brophy among those to have been selected.
Graham feels Stewart has the physical attributes to suit the role should he continue to develop, and he said: “He’s doing particularly well and I hope he continues it throughout the full season because I think he can go far in the game.
“His physique brings an extra dimension to his game. He has the potential to go to the next level. I was speaking to one of the boys here a few weeks ago, even before he started scoring goals.
“I said he has something Scotland’s not got. I said I could tip him to play for Scotland – he has the attributes to play the lone role up front.
“He’s tall, he’s quick and he can hold the ball up – and he’s aggressive.
“I think if he keeps doing particularly well this season he has a great chance to go and progress his career.”
Stewart’s form has kept Graham out of Stuart Kettlewell and Steven Ferguson’s starting line-up, however the former Dundee United and St Johnstone forward insists there is no friction between the attackers.
The 31-year-old added: “Whichever one of us is on the pitch, there’s no animosity. I’ve been at places before where strikers don’t really talk to strikers, but it’s not like that.
“The three strikers here – me, Billy Mckay and Ross – travel in together and have a good laugh. We’re good pals.
“There’s no negative effect that I’ve seen at previous clubs.
“Obviously, whoever is left out is disappointed – that’s just natural.
“But as soon as we cross the line on a Saturday, we’re backing each other to the hilt.”
County make the trip to Motherwell today, where Graham netted twice to secure a 2-1 victory for the Staggies in a Scottish Cup tie in January prior to County’s promotion from the Championship.
Graham his side make the trip to Fir Park in confident mood, adding: “I’ve good memories of it. It was a good result in the cup and, hopefully, we can go back there in the league and get the three points.
“There was no fear then and I don’t think there will be any fear going to any ground this year. We have confidence in our own ability and I think we’ve started quite well, apart from the Livingston game here.
“We’re sitting okay in the league. Everything is going well at the moment in the club.”
