SCOTLAND legend Gordon McQueen has tipped Scott McTominay to become an international icon in dark blue on the back of his decision to snub England.

The Manchester United midfielder held talks with both Alex McLeish and Gareth Southgate over his allegiances on the back of a meteoric rise into Jose Mourinho’s first-team. The 21-year-old, who qualifies to play for Scotland due to his father hailing from Helensburgh - has already made 15 appearances for United, keeping the likes of Juan Mata and Paul Pogba - he’s the lesser known brother of former Partick Thistle sensation Mathias... - out of the starting line-up.

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As with other emerging talents in recent years when it comes to Scotland, sun and success-starved Scots get a bit excited about what could be. Kieran Tierney continues to look every bit a future Scotland captain as the fuss over Olly Burke now simmers on the back burner.

But McTominay, and the pedigree which comes with wearing the red of Manchester United, brings a hope that another special talent has been unearthed. McQueen, who was capped 30 times by Scotland and played 229 for United over an eight-year spell, agrees.

“I hope he’s doing it for the right reasons and it’s where his heart wants to be and not just because he’ll get more game time with Scotland. I hope it’s from the heart,” he told HeraldSport.

“We’ve had too many players from the past who couldn’t get a game for England and picked Scotland. I don’t like that but it doesn’t seem to be the case with this lad.

“He’s played well for Manchester United and with Scott Brown retiring it’s come at a good time.

“Am I surprised? I think Scotland are on a bit of an upper and hopefully they’ll qualify for the next Euros. Maybe he’ll get more game time with Scotland than in England as well, but there is a positive feel about the next generation of players coming through.

“We just need another goal scorer and a centre-half and we have a half decent side.”

“You have Andy Robertson, Kieran Tierney, James Forrest and a lot of good young players. Scott McTominay is another one, and the more the merrier I say because we’ve not had a decent international side for years.”

McTominay is the latest in a long line of Scottish players who have graced the field at the Theatre of Dreams. Indeed, he is No.156. However, the fact McQueen is No.138 and played his last game for United 11 years before McTominay was born suggests the supply line has dried up.

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Still, McQueen reckons the 21-year-old from Lancaster is capable of surpassing former Old Trafford stalwart Darren Fletcher in a Scotland jersey after his displayed under Mourinho this season.

“It’s not continuing enough in my opinion,” said McQueen. “In my day you could go to any English club from Manchester United to Leeds United to Arsenal and the teams were filled with Scots. It’s not that way now but we are seeing them come into the big teams which can only be a good thing.

“Andy Robertson is doing well at Liverpool. It’s a pity two of your best players are left-backs but do you move one? Tierney looks like he can play in a back three or you could play one of them at left-back and one more advanced. That’s a problem for Alex to sort out.

“He might even be a better player for Scotland than Darren Fletcher because he’s a big physical specimen. He’s played well this year, in particular in Europe. But to hold down a spot in that Man United side is great.

“I’ve spoken to people at the club who talk glowing terms about him. I think everybody is impressed. It’s not easy to get into that midfield and he’s keeping Paul Pogba out the side, and look at the money they paid for him [£93million].

“He’s getting regular game time at Manchester United in what is a immensely talented midfield. You have Fellaini, Pogba, Mata, Carrick. Carrick is going into coaching and Fellaini looks like he might be leaving the club so he could be a big player for Manchester United in the next few years. That’s why people are getting excited by him.”

He added: “Scott has been there since he was five but he’ll always will have had Scots looking after him. You’ve had Brian McClair and Ricky Sbragia in there. They will be well aware of his potential ability having been there with Nicky Butt and the rest of them. I’m just delighted he’s chosen Scotland instead of England.

Alex McLeish is set to announce his squad this Thursday for the upcoming friendly matches with Costa Rica and Hungary, and McQueen is in no doubt McTominay will feature for his debut.

“He’ll definitely play one of the two games. Alex will be looking to call him into the squad but if he wasn’t going to play that wouldn’t be the case.”