McGlynn backs Neilson for cap call-up

PAUL KIDDIE

HEARTS interim boss John McGlynn today backed Gorgie defender Robbie Neilson for a Scotland call-up.

The full-back is arguably the most improved player at Tynecastle over the past 18 months and produced another assured display under the watchful eye of national manager Walter Smith as the league leaders stretched their unbeaten run to 12 games with victory over Kilmarnock on Wednesday night.

The Scotland boss has arranged a friendly against the US on Saturday, November 12, at Hampden Park as he begins his preparations for the European Championship qualifying campaign.

The fixture will present Smith with the opportunity to experiment with personnel and if that is a route the former Rangers and Everton manager opts to pursue, McGlynn reckons he could do worse than consider Neilson, who is playing the best football of his career at the moment.

The 25-year-old is the Jambos' longest-serving player having been recruited from Rangers Boys' Club in October 1996 and having been an ever-present this season as the Jambos stormed to the top of the SPL, he will line up in his usual berth for tomorrow's derby showdown with Hibs at Easter Road.

After coming through a shaky period shortly after breaking into the first team - he was farmed out to Queen of the South for six months in 2002 in a bid to bolster his confidence by former boss Craig Levein - he has gone from strength to strength.

He has seen his form flourish over the past couple of seasons, his performances having benefited greatly from playing alongside recognised Scotland stars Steven Pressley and Andy Webster.

The defender hasn't allowed the constant speculation surrounding his presence in the current side - his place looked under threat when Senegalese right-back Ibrahim Tall arrived in the summer - to knock him out of his stride.

And McGlynn would be delighted if the former Scotland Under-21 ace saw his improvement rewarded with a crack at international stardom like his team-mates.

"Robbie has been consistent for us and it's obviously up to Walter what he wants to do but he may use the friendly against the US to give a run out to some players," he said.

"Robbie's a very steady player and there are no frills about him. He knows his passing could be better in the final third of the park but he's probably playing the best football of his career."

Taken from the Scotsman