Josh McPake deserves Scotland call as Scott Brown predicts new boss will turn to youngsters

Scott Brown believes Josh McPake deserves a Scotland call-up after his impressive start to life at Hearts.

Sébastien Pocognoli will announce his first 26-man squad on Tuesday ahead of the Nations League fixtures, which kicks off against Slovenia on September 26.

The Tynecastle midfielder has been in impressive form since making the move from St Johnstone in the summer, including scoring in Hearts’ 3-1 win over Edinburgh rivals Hibs earlier this month.

Former Scotland midfielder Brown believes the 25-year-old could be named in the manager’s first squad since taking over from Steve Clarke, saying: “I really like Josh McPake. I think he’s had a fantastic start to the season. Calvin Miller as well. The two Hearts lads have done really, really well.

“I do believe he will go young so it will be interesting to see if he picks young from Scotland or if he goes to the ones down the road that are playing as well.

“Josh has stepped up from the Championship to the Premiership and shown against top teams that he can do it. Now he can go do that with Scotland as well.

“I do believe that he could do it. I’ve maybe not seen him in that aspect. I think he’s a really good player and since he’s done so well at Hearts this season, I do think he has an opportunity to maybe get into that squad.

“Ben Gannon-Doak has been brilliant for Scotland, so I’m sure he will be one of the first names on the squad as well. Robbo [Andy Robertson] will still be there, you will have Kieran [Tierney].

“He will have a decision to make on whether he takes Grant Hanley and people like that. He’s still playing at Hibs so there’s an opportunity for him to be in the squad, whether he plays or not, whether he goes as a mentor role to the younger ones, because as everyone says, it is going to be young.”

Scotland will take on Switzerland, Slovenia and North Macedonia in the 2026/2027 UEFA Nations League.