Stephen Glass insists Lewis Ferguson’s Scotland appearances against Moldova and Austria could help him attract players keen to break into the national squad to Aberdeen in the future.
Ferguson’s rise to full international prominence came on the back of summer interest from Premier League club Watford, whose £2m bid for the player fell short of the Dons’ valuation of the 22-year-old.
But manager Glass, happy to report a clean bill of health in the Aberdeen camp as they prepare to face Motherwell at Fir Park tomorrow, is aware that the standing of players like Ferguson and Declan Gallagher could be good for recruitment.
Ferguson’s late, late cameo in the win over Moldova was followed by his appearance for the final few minutes of the victory against Austria in Vienna on Tuesday night, prompting Glass to proclaim how proud he was of the youngster.
He said: “There are people here who can help the players on their journey to becoming Scotland players.
“Declan has come in as an international player and he continues to be. We have got a good platform here but everything comes off what happens at club level and it’s important to emphasise that.
“Even the young ones coming through getting Under-21 caps like Dean Campbell; that all comes off the back of good club performances.
“That’s something you can’t lose sight of. Lewis given final few with scores tight shows Stevie Clarke’s faith in him and that he has trust in him.
“There’s a lot of good players in that midfield area for Scotland but it shows what he’s been doing for us as a club and shows how prepared he is for it.
“If Stevie didn’t think Lewis was prepared and capable, there’s no danger he’d be near the pitch. So it’s kudos for Lewis and kudos for this club.”
Glass admitted he was beginning to feel like Scotland manager Clarke with the questions surrounding Lewis’ international appearances and whether that would prove motivation in his hopes of being part of the Scotland’s set-up for next month’s World Cup qualifiers against Israel and the Faroe Islands.
“His incentive is do well for Aberdeen in every game he plays and what happens, will happen. It’s the same for a number of our players who want to be in the Scotland squads and the other nations we have represented too.
“It’s important that every player - and I’m not singling out Lewis here - knows what it means playing for this club and what it can get them.
“His call up was reward for the work and the dedication he’s put in over a number of years. I’m really proud of him. He’s deserved it.
“It’s a challenge for every player who gets involved with Scotland to stay there. It’s not a given that you’re going to get called back up, but the fact he got put on the pitch a couple of times shows what Stevie Clarke thinks of him.
“I think it’s important that Lewis knows that. But the first part of that is that he stays in this team because if you don’t stay in the Aberdeen team you can’t get picked for Scotland.
“He feels he’s Scotland player now. He’s got a different label attached to him, a different persona now.”
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