Ryan Williamson has lavished praise on the influence of Callum Morris as he aims to follow the Dunfermline captain’s lead by claiming full international recognition.
The Pars could conceivably be represented at next summer’s World Cup, with Northern Ireland set to square off against Switzerland next month for a place in Russia.
Morris was rewarded for his fine form with the Fifers with a call-up to Michael O’Neill’s last squad and Williamson insists the entire dressing room is desperate to see their skipper perform on football’s biggest stage.
Indeed, the young full-back believes it would be a fitting acknowledgement of someone who has brought his own career forward leaps and bounds.
Williamson said: “It is brilliant for Cal to be involved at that level and he deserves every minute of it.
“He has been different class.
“He has brought me on a lot by playing alongside me, constantly talking to me and giving me advice, and has fully merited that call-up.
“He is a massive influence, a great guy and a top-quality player.
“Everyone at Dunfermline is desperate to see him go to a World Cup. What an achievement that would be!
“It would be great for the club, too, and just shows the standard of player we have at Dunfermline.”
Williamson’s own fledgling international career took off this month after he made his debut for Scotland’s under-21 side, featuring in both Euro 2019 qualifiers against England and Latvia after impressing boss Scot Gemmill.
It has only served to whet his appetite for more outing in the dark blue as he nurses aspirations of representing his nation at senior level.
With Scotland’s dearth of natural right-backs beyond Callum Paterson, such a notion is not entirely fanciful.
Having lost eight months to a devastating double broken leg, Williamson is recapturing the form which made him one of the SPFL’s brightest defensive talents when he burst onto the scene as a 17-year-old in 2013.
He continued: “It was a great experience to get my debut for the 21s and something I’ll never forget.
“It was a reward for my hard work and a very proud moment for me and my family.
“I didn’t feel out of place.
“I went there with the intention of making a good impression and I think I did that by coming on in both games.
“I was up against Kyle Walker-Peters in the England game, who has played in the Premier League, so that sort of experience is invaluable.
“Those boys have the physicality, speed and quality – that’s the benchmark you want to aim for.
“I’m ambitious and the goal has to be to get into that senior squad. Hopefully by doing well with the under-21s I can impress the right people and get that chance one day.”
A more pressing concern for Williamson, however, will be stemming the tide of Livingston as Scotland’s form team visits East End Park.
The Lions, who boast an ex-Par and close friend of Williamson in Shaun Byrne among their ranks, have won five of their last six Championship games and are yet to be defeated away from home in the league this term.
Williamson added: “I’m absolutely buzzing for Shaun. He has been doing really well, after some tough times personally, and it’s great to see him playing every week and enjoying his football. However, it’s our job to make sure he’s going home with nothing.
“Livingston are absolutely flying and their confidence is sky-high. But we know what to expect and our boys are more than capable of getting the job done.”
