Former Scotland manager backs Hearts and Hibs pair as national team wildcards ahead of squad announcement
Scotland’s squad announcement could be of interest to Hearts and Hibs fans.
Former Scotland manager Gordon Strachan has backed a Hearts and Hibs duo as possible contenders for Sebastien Pocognoli's first national team squad.
The Belgian has succeeded Steve Clarke as head coach following a group stage exit from the World Cup as a new era could bring fresh stars into the mix. Strachan will watch on with interest over who is selected and feels Josh Mulligan at Hibs is one contender.
Currently Dundee's technical director, the ex-Hampden boss watched Mulligan's development at Dens Park, before he moved to Easter Road in 2025. He has impressed at Easter Road and believes a return to the fold after a previous call-up under Clarke could beckon for the midfielder. Hearts' Harry Milne is someone he feels may also warrant a maiden chance after shining for the Jambos at left-back.
What Hearts and Hibs players may play for Scotland?
There are concerns though over a lack of young players coming into the mix. Strachan said: “Josh Mulligan does well at Hibs in the system they've got. Josh is good in the middle of the park. He can disrupt things and run from there. There's not many in the Hibs team, you know, Josh is probably the only one you could stand out. At Hearts, Milne is a good player, but we've got top players in Andy Robertson and Kieran Tierney. We've always had good left-backs so it's harder for him to get in.
"Somebody will say ‘okay, play the youngsters’. But we have a problem at the moment in Scotland for Scottish players and playing them, never mind the youngsters! The two midfield players that are at Rangers, Connor Barron and Lyall Cameron, they're Scottish - but now one's on loan to Middlesbrough and the other to Dundee United, because they can't get a game there.
“Standards are high. It's not easy for the Scottish manager. I’m sure Pocognoli is going to say ‘I'd love to play a lot of youngsters’, but if they're not there, they're not there. I think it's sort of an epidemic at Scottish level. I'd try and fix it.
How do Scottish players gain more experience?
“There's two ways to try and fix it - one, producing better players. It's hard to be giving an opportunity to these players if they do produce them in the Scottish Premier League, because you've got to remember, most of us live in fear of getting relegated in this league. It's that small of a league."
“If you're a manager or a chairman, the only thing that matters is winning. It's not about the number of youngsters. If I say to Celtic or Rangers fans ‘do you want to win the league or do you want the team to start playing youngsters’, there’s not even a question about that.
“It doesn't matter where they come from. They could come from the moon. It doesn't matter as long as they're winning. It's the same with Hearts and Hibs. All they want to do is be better than their rivals. Dundee and Dundee United are the same.”
Gordon Strachan was speaking to Midnite as part of its ‘Built Different Index’ launch.