James McFadden says Motherwell's Chris Cadden has earned his place in the Scotland U21 squad

Motherwell player-assistant manager James McFadden says Chris Cadden's call-up to the Scotland U21 squad is no surprise.

The 19-year-old Motherwell midfielder was originally omitted by boss Ricky Sbragia for the European Championship qualifying matches against Macedonia and Ukraine on September 2 and 6 respectively.

Motherwell boss Mark McGhee, who also doubles as assistant Scotland manager, expressed his disappointment at his player's omission.

However, Cadden was drafted in for the first time on Sunday, the day after he was named man of the match in the goalless Scottish Premiership draw with Dundee.

Blackburn left-back Stephen Hendrie was also called up after Brentford's Lewis Macleod and Kilmarnock's Callum McFadzean dropped out.

Asked if he thought the call up was deserved, McFadden said: "It is (deserved). We made a lot of noise last week because he wasn't involved.

"Chris has played so many games for us and he has been excellent for us in the majority of them.

"It is not often a young player comes into the team and is so consistent from the first game and Chris has been.

"He is a mainstay in our team and he is one that we look at to win us games and make a real mark on the games for us.

"It is no surprise that he was a late call up, the only surprise was that he wasn't in the initial squad."

Scotland sit in fourth in European Under-21 Championship qualifying group three - six points adrift of leaders France and four behind Iceland and Macedonia.

Meanwhile, Motherwell have confirmed winger Marvin Johnson has handed in a transfer request.

The 25-year-old, who has played 64 times for the Steelmen, has scored four goals in nine appearances this season but could soon be on his way out of Fir Park.

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