Scotland assistant boss Mark McGhee has defended the decision to give Hearts striker Tony Watt his chance.
When the news broke that in-form Celtic frontman Leigh Griffiths had pulled out of the squad for Malta because of a hamstring injury, it was widely expected that £12 million Aston Villa player Ross McCormack would get the call to replace him.
However, the phone rang at Tynecastle instead as the Scots opted for the former Celtic frontman.
McGhee explained why they went with Watt.
He said: “He offers something a little bit different because he plays up against people.
“He turns people and he creates as well as scores.
“There is a new energy about him and not just from when he went to Hearts.
“I had two quite long conversations with Tony in the summer and reported back to Gordon that what I was hearing was of improved maturity and responsibility.
“He was talking a good game, speaking about his own decisions and taking responsibility for himself.
“I was very encouraged about what I heard from him and then, of course, he made his move to Hearts.
“Even when we had him in before, very early in the last campaign to look at him, we saw a good player.
“He just wasn’t in the right frame of mind back then but now he is and has something to offer.
“This is international football and there is a responsibility, not only from the point of view of the performance but also how you are acquitting yourself in general.
“The boy is getting it right. He is on the right track.”
