Max Johnston says successful season for Scottish players abroad can help national team grow

Max Johnston says having so many Scottish players being successful in their respective leagues across Europe can help the national team grow.

The former Motherwell right back, who was part of the Sturm Graz side that won the Austrian Bundesliga, is honoured to be included in Steve Clarke’s squad for two upcoming friendlies.

He is joined by the likes of Andy Robertson, who won the English Premier League with Liverpool, Anthony Ralston, who helped Celtic lift the Scottish Premiership and League Cup, and Serie A-based trio Scott McTominay, Billy Gilmour, and Lewis Ferguson, who all lifted silverware in Italy.

McTominay and Gilmour helped Napoli win the league title, while Ferguson captained Bologna to the Coppa Italia.

Josh Doig also had success in Italy by helping Sassoulo to the Serie B title and promotion back to the top flight, and Grant Hanley was part of a Birmingham City squad that won England’s League one.

Johnston is in the Scotland camp ahead of the games against Iceland at Hampden on Friday and Liechtenstein on Monday after winning his first cap in Greece earlier this year, and he is looking forward to another opportunity to impress the manager.

And he insists the national team can only benefit from having so many players being successful in their respective countries.

He said: “It’s a huge honour to be involved in the squad again. Coming off a good camp for me last time around, it’s good to be back.

“Any opportunity I get to represent my country is always an amazing opportunity, so I love it.

“It’s great to see a lot of boys I played with in the under-21s involved, and a few familiar faces as well.

“It was a really enjoyable season for me, winning the league in Austria.

“It’s amazing to see how many trophies in so many different countries the boys have won, it’s great to see Scottish players doing so well abroad.

“It’s encouraging for us that our players are winning titles and winning cups, and I think that will be huge for us going forward.”