Defender Steven Anderson is another St Johnstone player who should be considered for a Scotland call-up, according to team-mate Danny Swanson.
Young keeper Zander Clark excelled against Hearts in front of the watching Gordon Strachan on Saturday, but so too did experienced centre-back Anderson.
And as far as Swanson is concerned, it is just football snobbery that is stopping the Scottish Cup final hero being talked about in terms of playing for his country.
“I think so,” he said. “It’s a bit like it maybe was with Dave Mackay.
“Special credit has to go to Ando. He doesn’t get enough praise.
“He’s another one that Strachan must have been impressed by. He’s 31. Gordon Greer got his first cap at 34 I think.
“Why not?
“When you first look at him you think ‘nah’, he can’t be a great player. But I’ll be honest, I can’t think of another Scottish centre-half doing better than Ando.
“On the eye he looks more like a Sunday amateur player, the way he runs about. But he’s top class.
“At first when I was at Dundee United I didn’t rate him. But then you play against him and you start to realise what he’s all about. Training with him through the week makes you realise even more.
“He’s not a big guy but nobody dominates him in the air. He’s brilliant in the air. I’m not joking. He’s so under-rated.”
Swanson also thinks the praise for Clark is thoroughly deserved.
“Zander was incredible,” the former Dundee United man said. “I heard Strachan was at the game. Jack Hamilton at Hearts is a nice lad and a great goalie but Zander is definitely up there with him.
“He’ll have made an impression on Strachan.
“It’s very rare to have two top goalies. Who else in Scotland has got keepers like we’ve got? Zander and Alan (Mannus) are both up there with the best. Choosing between them isn’t a decision I’d like to make.”
