National team manager Craig Levein believes Jordan Rhodes can become a Scotland star.
Huddersfield hit-man backed to establish himself after first call-up
National team manager Craig Levein believes Jordan Rhodes can become a Scotland star.
The 21-year-old striker has been handed his first call-up to the senior squad having hit 13 goals for League One title chasers Huddersfield this season.
He also scored five goals in two games for Scotland's Under-21s last month and Levein has confirmed he plans to hand Rhodes his senior debut in Friday's friendly against Cyprus.
The Oldham-born youngster, who qualifies through the five-year schooling rule from when his father Andy was playing in Scotland,
admitted he was awestruck during this week's get-together.
Such a response has impressed Levein and he reckons that one day young Scottish players will be in awe of Rhodes instead.
"I would be extremely disappointed if they all weren't excited about coming into the group," Levein said.
"I still get excited coming along to the gatherings and working with the players.
"I think Jordan Rhodes is a fantastic boy as well, very down to earth, well-mannered and grateful.
Grateful
"I think any player who gets included at a young age in an international squad should be grateful and they should show that in their enthusiasm and their respect for the other players.
"They have all been excellent so far and maybe one day Jordan will be someone that another young player comes into the squad and looks up to. I believe he will.
"He's just a young lad but he has trained well and I feel that he'll be an international player."
Three other players have also been handed their first call-up, namely St Mirren goalkeeper Craig Samson, MK Dons defender Gary MacKenzie and Hearts midfielder Ryan Stevenson.
The Scotland squad flew to Cyprus on Monday and Levein has been delighted to have a look at the new quartet at close quarters.
He said: "It's not until you actually get them inside and get working with them, talking to them and watching them training with the other players, that you get to appreciate just what standard they are.
Encouraging
"It's encouraging for me that we've got players on the fringes that I can bring in.
"I'm not saying they are all going to play but if they do get some game-time that adds to the experience they have had in training and, in my mind, it makes it a little easier for me to choose them in matches if they are needed."
Levein will start with his usual 4-5-1 formation in Larnaca but could play two up front after half-time given he has more attacking options.
Although Kenny Miller is absent, Levein still has the likes of David Goodwillie, Craig Mackail-Smith, Jamie Mackie and Rhodes.
"We are getting a little more strength in depth, in a number of areas of the field," added the Scotland boss.
"There is always an opportunity of experimenting but not at the expense of winning the match."
