LIVINGSTON assistant manager Marvin Bartley believes that John Souttar should start for Scotland ahead of Scott McTominay.
Souttar, 25, enjoyed an excellent season at Hearts as Robbie Neilson's side secured a third-place finish in the Premiership and was rewarded with a return to the international set-up.
The centre-half bagged his first goal for the national team in November's 2-0 win over Denmark in the World Cup qualifiers and recently completed a move to Rangers on a free transfer.
After watching Ukraine dash Scotland's hopes of reaching Qatar 2022, Bartley thinks that a change in approach is required from Steve Clarke.
And the Livi No.2 reckons that Souttar should be starting at right centre-back ahead of Manchester United's Scott McTominay ahead of Wednesday's Nations League opening match against Armenia.
“I think [Ryan] Christie for [Lyndon] Dykes will the obvious decision the manager will make," Bartley told BBC Sportsound.
“But, also, while I know Souttar was injured towards the back end of the season although played in the cup final, I’d like to see him come back in.
“I think he’s a fantastic defender.
“I think he offers all that McTominay does in terms of driving forward with the ball in possession.
“But I think he’s also a better defender, a natural defender.
“So those two for me - and [Stuart] Armstrong also maybe the third one I’d look at.
“Again, he does extremely well for Southampton, he’s a fantastic player and his experience just to go into this game, with the quality he does have, he’d be another I’d be looking to play.”
