Stuart Armstrong and Gary Mackay-Steven have done their Scotland prospects no harm with the start to their respective careers at Celtic, according to Stuart McCall.
Both players hit the ground running at the Parkhead club following their transfer deadline day moves from Dundee United and have already scored two goals each.
Midfielder Armstrong, 22, has yet to win his first cap although he has been in previous squads while winger Mackay-Steven, 24, made a substitute appearance against the United States in a friendly at Hampden in November 2013.
McCall, part of Gordon Strachan’s management set-up at Scotland, was at Hampden Park to promote the public ticket sale for the forthcoming Vauxhall International challenge match against Northern Ireland, four days before the Scots resume their European qualifying campaign at home to Gibraltar on March 29.
When asked if Armstrong and Mackay-Steven had given him something to think about in terms of breaking into the national team, the former Scotland midfielder, pointing especially to their performances against Inter Milan in the Europa League last-32 tie, said: “I’m sure they have.
“When we get the likes of Armstrong and Gary Mackay-Steven playing for Celtic in Europe, and not only playing, playing well and standing out in those games, it benefits them,” he said. “So without a doubt.
“Celtic have a strong squad so for Stuart and Gary to maintain being first-team regulars, that will be an important factor as well.
“They both got off to a great start, obviously Gary scoring a terrific goal on Sunday. Both are playing with lots of confidence and it is great to see.”