Dundee United manager Micky Mellon has backed Lawrence Shankland to shine for Scotland as they chase their Euro dream.
But Mellon is stunned in-form Logan Chalmers has been overlooked by Scotland Under-21 boss Scot Gemmill.
Scotland manager Steve Clarke is set to name his squad for the crucial European Championship play-off semi-final with Israel and Mellon expects Shankland, who bagged his second Scottish Premiership goal in two games in Dundee United’s 1-1 draw with Hamilton, to be named in it.
Shankland’s fourth-minute opener against Hamilton, which was cancelled out in the second half by Hakeem Odoffin, came when Chalmers burst run down the right flank and found Adrian Sporle to set up Dundee United’s talisman.
Mellon said: “Great finish, and young Logan showed what a terrific talent he is as well.
“You all watched that. What about him? I don’t pick the team, but here’s a young Scottish player in the Premiership, the top end of our game, and he can’t get in the Scotland Under-21s.
“He has been playing consistently well for some time. I want people to dribble and have shots at goal.
“Lawrence does what he does. I don’t pick the national team either, but I am delighted us in Scotland have got a goalscorer of that talent.”
He said: “We are a good club here. I have said all along, about all the players, that nothing will happen unless it makes the club better.
“If something gets put our way about any of them, the decision will end with: ‘Does it make Dundee United better?’
“As of this minute, we are delighted with what we have got and we are working hard to maybe add to that with more quality. We are moving it in the right direction.”
Odoffin, who notched his third goal in five games, stooped to get on the end of David Templeton’s free-kick and send a diving header in a packed penalty area into the back of the net with 15 minutes remaining.
And Rice said: “Listen, there is only one way you score goals like that and it is putting your body on the line and he comes from a club that does that, Livingston.
“It is a great from a defender but the delivery was great as well. If you put the ball in the right area then as long as you have got bodies prepared to put their body on the line then you have got a chance. Hakeem is an honest boy and is getting his rewards going in there.”
