By Jack Cranmer

Scotland manager Steve Clarke has been criticised at times for sticking to the same players but with many of the mainstays of his squad getting older there is a need for some new players to be brought through.

Another criticism of the Scottish side is that many of the players ply their trade abroad or in England with the domestic selections mainly being made up from the old firm.

Scotland’s next round of international fixtures are coming up on March 17 with a double header against Greece, we look at some domestic players who could make the jump into squads of the future.

Aberdeen: Jack MacKenzie – Contract talks have stalled, and Aberdeen’s early season form has gone off a cliff, but Jack MacKenzie remains a top prospect for club and country.

A regular for the Dons, MacKenzie may find his route to international caps blocked by the sheer amount of quality Steve Clarke possesses at left-back.

But with Andy Robertson getting older, and Kieran Tierney’s injury worries continuing to hamper the soon-to-be returning Celtic player, MacKenzie may be able to find his way into future squads.

If he is to depart Aberdeen his next move will be key to his chances of an international future, but his performances have shown he has quality both in defence and in attack.

Jack MacKenzie against Dunfermline (Paul Devlin- SNS Group via Gettyimages)

Celtic: – Luke McCowan – This one is a no-brainer, and a dead cert. Luke McCowan has excelled at his boyhood club Celtic since his summer move from Dundee.

He plays with a confidence and a swagger that you’d expect from a much more experienced and trophy laden Celtic player and does not look out of place in the champions midfield.

With 8 goals and 4 assists across both clubs this season despite not being a regular starter with Celtic, McCowan is a creative asset and would fit perfectly into the Scotland midfield as the likes of Armstrong get older and are phased out. One for the nearer future rather than the further.

Luke McCowan against Hibernian (Craig Foy- SNS Group via Gettyimages)

Dundee: Lyall Cameron – The youngster will be heading for Ibrox after signing a pre-contract with Rangers, looks to be one of the country's next bright stars.

Cameron is only 22 and has twelve caps for the Scottish Under-21 side and has plenty of time to forge an international career, but like Jack MacKenzie his next move is vital.

A move to Rangers could see him get into the national squads if he gains European experience but it is no guarantee.With 8 goals and 9 assists, Cameron has been a huge contributor for Dundee’s solid season, along with Josh Mulligan who was a close second contender for this list and if, as it looks likely, he will leave the Dees, he will be sorely missed. But their loss could be Scotland’s gain if the midfielder kicks on and develops at a higher level.

Lyall Cameron against Aberdeen (Ross Parker- SNS Group via Gettyimages)

Dundee United: – Miller Thomson - Unlike their city rivals Dundee United don’t have a multitude of options for international recognition. Kevin Holt and Glenn Middleton are solid Premiership players but aren’t likely to reach international level.

Ross Graham could be considered but Miller Thomson at 20 has more potential to break into the international squads down the line.

The United youth graduate has broken into the first team regularly this season with 18 appearances so far, having featured sporadically since his debut at 17.

Further development will be required to reach the full squad but Thomson has started to make his way into the under 21’s side this past year which will only boost his chances.

Thomson is now on loan at Championship league leaders, Falkirk. As he could still go back to United, we have still included him in this list.

Miller Thomson against Celtic (Craig Foy- SNS Group via Gettyimages)

Hearts: – James Wilson – This striker made headlines when he scored in the Edinburgh Derby against Hibs while still a school student. Wilson, 17 has burst onto the scene at Hearts this year and has been a bright spot in a disappointing season for the Jambos.

With 5 goals already for his senior club side, and a member of the Scotland under 19’s at his young age, Wilson has set the groundwork for an eventual rise to the main side and is a top, home-grown talent for both club and country.

James Wilson against Dundee (Mark Scates- SNS Group via Gettyimages)

Hibernian: Nicky Cadden – An older inclusion in this list, Cadden has performed excellently for Hibs this campaign. Playing on the opposite wing from his brother Chris, both have been producing excellent crosses, but Nicky’s have been particularly impressive, especially in Hibs 3-3 draw with Rangers in January.

Brother Chris earned his Scotland cap in 2018, and brother Nicky will feel his form could be enough to get him into consideration for one of his own.

Nicky Cadden vs Celtic (Ian MacNicol via Gettyimages)

Kilmarnock: David Watson – A standout for Killie over the past few years, there are already calls for Watson to be introduced to the full squad. At only 19 the Prestwick born midfielder has already made over 60 first team appearances for the Ayrshire side and is a regular for the under 19’s.

You feel he needs to make the step up to the under 21’s before full team consideration but the quality is there for Watson to go far in the game, a very good midfielder and alongside our next inclusions could very well be the future of our nation’s midfield.

David Watson against Hearts (Ross Parker- SNS Group via Gettyimages)

Motherwell: Lennon Miller – The son of former Scotland international Lee Miller.

Over 60 games, 6 goals and several assists for Miller at Motherwell at just 18. Tracked by both old firm clubs and a host of English Premiership sides, Miller will be a Scotland international sooner rather than later barring an unforeseen downturn.

Tenacious, box-to-box and a great passer, Miller is reminiscent of a young Barry Ferguson and if he is anywhere near as good as the former Scotland Captain then he will be an asset for years to come.

Lennon Miller against Rangers (Craig Foy- SNS Group via Gettyimages)

Rangers – Bailey Rice – A former midfield partner of Miller in Motherwell’s youth sides. Rice has taken longer than expected to break into the Rangers starting 11 following his debut in February of 2023 which made him the youngest post-war league player for the club.

However, following an excellent substitute performance at Old Trafford against Manchester United, and the departure of Kieran Dowell, Rice has put himself into the managers thoughts and with the league all but gone already, Rice should see himself get minutes this season.

An excellent passer of the ball, who has no fear with driving and dribbling forward, Rice has all the potential in the world and if Rangers let him realise it, it will be beneficial for both club and for country.

An under 19’s regular already, more first team action should see Rice progress through the 21’s and eventually to the first team.

Bailey Rice against Queen’s Park (Alan Harvey- SNS Group via Gettyimages)

Ross County – Jordan White – With the Staggies there are two standout options for Steve Clarke, goalie Ross Laidlaw has had some great stats and could definitely be considered as a third-choice keeper in future squads.

However, with Lydon Dykes recent injury issues, Scotland will need a similar alternative and Jordan White fits this mould.

While never a prolific goal scorer, White racks up decent numbers for a team near the bottom of the league, including big goals against top teams in the league, is great in the air and has good hold up play and if Dykes is unavailable should be considered as a viable alternative option if needed.

Jordan White against Dundee (Euan Cherry- SNS Group via Gettyimages)

St Johnstone – Taylor Steven – St Johnstone are the hardest team to pick for this list, they are a poor side, and their league position shows that.

They also lack many home-grown talents with the likes of Jason Holt and Nicky Clark being too old for consideration and with both keepers Ross Sinclair and Josh Rae unable to hold down their club places they will not be near international consideration.

Young Taylor Steven has broken through the youth system into the Perth sides first team and has even managed to find the net for the Premiership’s basement side.

However, he is 21 in August and a late developer. If he does continue to blossom and can maybe find another move to stay in the top tier next season you never know, but this one is a major outside bet.

Although, he is now out on loan, we have still included him as he can technically still be credited as a player for the saints.

Taylor Stevens against Ayr United (Ewan Bootman- SNS Group via Gettyimages)

St Mirren – Evan Mooney - Has broken into the Buddies first team squad this campaign at just 17 and has already scored his first career goal against St Johnstone.

Playing first team football In the middle of the park at such a young age, especially in a physical division like ours shows just how high a prospect Mooney is.

Still to break into the Scottish youth teams, Mooney has that task ahead of him first but should he keep progressing the youngster has the potential to one day be playing in our national team.

Each Premiership's clubs next potential Scotland call-up