IT is fair to say that Ricky Sbragia knows a good player when he sees one. Over a three-year spell as reserve team coach at Manchester United, the Scot oversaw the development of a host of players that would go on to become household names and compete at the very top of the game. Now he has his hands full with international matters as Scotland Under-21 manager, Sbragia is once again seeing flickering signs of talent that could illuminate the game on the highest level.

After helping the likes of former United and current West Brom captain Darren Fletcher through the early stages of his career at Old Trafford over 10 years ago, the 59-year-old has been impressed by the pool of players at his disposal who are currently three games into a European qualifying campaign. While there are plenty in the squad he announced yesterday to face Ukraine who have the potential to go far in the game, given events at the weekend, there is one young man’s name that leaps from the page like the Hibernian support did on Sunday celebrating his fabulous strike.

Jason Cummings, and his goal from 25 yards, helped put the Easter Road club on the pathway to a landmark victory over Rangers on Sunday, and deliver three points that would claw the Ibrox club’s lead at the summit of the Ladbrokes Championship back to just five points. On a personal level, it took the goal tally for the 20-year-old up to 11 in all competitions for the season, already little over halfway to the entire haul he claimed in the previous campaign.

Sbragia has seen signs of maturity in Cummings, a player he has been familiar with through the various age groups within the national set up. His application, attitude and ability have led for comparisons to be drawn to another one of the former Old Trafford coach’s proteges, namely, the now Italy and Fiorentina striker Giuseppe Rossi, who was helped along in his career by the Scot. But can his career follow a similar trajectory?

“Yeah I think so,” he said. “Rossi was a bit different because he didn’t play 16s or 17s he went straight to open age right away because he had so much ability. We felt if we played him younger we would have held him back. He was ready for the open age.

“They are similar because they are two left-peggers and they are talented. Rossi was a bit special and I think Jason is in that bracket as well.

“Jason is a really funny lad. He is quite witty, always late and likes a song. He’s a good footballer and does his work in the box but Sunday was a wee bit special as he scored from 25 yards.

“We have said to him about shooting from distance and having that link-up play outside the box and Hibs are probably saying the same to him because his movement’s good. And that’s all down to playing week in week out.”

Among the notable editions to the squad for next Friday’s game in Paisley is hometown favourite Stephen Mallan, Celtic’s on-loan midfielder Liam Henderson and Rangers’ Barrie McKay. However, the biggest boost surely comes in the former of left-back Andrew Robertson.

The Hull City defender is more akin these days to pulling on the dark blue jersey for first-team head coach Gordon Strachan, most recently in Faro against Gibraltar and in Tbilisi against Georgia. But with Scotland sadly not having any part to play in next week’s play-off games, it offers a window of opportunity for Sbragia to bring a player eligible to him who will bring real experience to the fold.

“From his point of view to want to come and play at 21s says a lot about Andy,” said the U21 head coach. “There was never any doubt. It’ll be great for the young players to train with him.

“I would hope the experience he’s had at that level will help us as well. I’m really looking forwards to working with him.”

FULL SQUAD: Goalkeepers: Ryan Fulton (Liverpool), Jack Hamilton (Heart of Midlothian), Liam Kelly (Rangers)

Defenders: Stuart Findlay (Celtic, on loan to Kilmarnock), Marcus Fraser (Ross County), Dominic Hyam (Reading), Donald Love (Manchester United, on loan to Wigan Athletic), Callum McFadzean (Sheffield United), Jordan McGhee (Heart of Midlothian), Callum Paterson (Heart of Midlothian) Andrew Robertson (Hull City)

Midfielders: Jay Fulton (Swansea City, on loan to Oldham Athletic), Liam Henderson (Celtic, on loan to Hibernian), John McGinn (Hibernian), Craig Slater (Kilmarnock), John Souttar (Dundee United)

Forwards: Ryan Christie (Celtic, on loan to Inverness Caledonian Thistle), Jason Cummings (Hibernian), Billy King (Heart of Midlothian), Stephen Mallan (St Mirren), Oliver McBurnie (Swansea City), Barrie McKay (Rangers), Sam Nicholson (Heart of Midlothian), Lawrence Shankland (Aberdeen, on loan to St Mirren)