Ex-Scotland ace on former Man Utd and Chelsea stars impacts as St Mirren snap up one time Rangers man
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Former Rangers defender Alan Hutton believes Scotland are reaping the benefits of Scott McTominay and Billy Gilmour’s decision to join Italian giants Napoli over the summer.
The 50-time international has claimed that while McTominay has long been regarded as one of Scotland’s most important players, he hasn’t always had the appreciation he has deserved at Manchester United.
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Hide Ad“If you look at Scott McTominay, especially over the last couple of seasons at Manchester United, I think he scored some really important goals for them and as well for Scotland. He's been excellent, but for some reason, he was probably overlooked, or maybe not appreciated enough, at Manchester United.” He told BestBettingSites.co.uk.
“He felt the need to have to go elsewhere, so I totally get that. I think he's now showing his quality in class, especially when he moves forward on the pitch. I think he gives you a lot. We've seen that in Scotland before the move. When he plays higher up, he's got more than enough ability to score goals, get back, defend and do everything else that a midfielder has to do.”
Hutton feels the 27-year-old is already proving to Manchester United that it was a mistake to let him go and not give him more game time while they had him. He added: “Perhaps United will regret it, but it’s in the rearview mirror now, McTominay and Man United. I think that he will have a burning desire to show everyone at United it was a mistake to let him go, that will always be there for a player, and I think he probably felt that he deserved to get more of a chance, because for a long period of time he wasn’t playing.
“ He made cameo performances, but he was great when he played, he scored important goals. I think he probably felt that he warranted an opportunity for more playing time, and he didn’t get it.”
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Hide AdThe former Tottenham and Aston Villa defender went on to praise Gilmour’s start to life in Italy after his decision to leave Brighton to link up with McTominay in Naples.
He explained: “Billy Gilmour, I felt for him a wee bit as well when he left to go to Brighton, and then it didn't quite work for him.
I've always known him as a highly technical player, so for him to go somewhere like Italy, I think it does suit him.
“It suits the way he is as a player. I had no doubt that they would go there and flourish, and they're actually showing that now.
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Hide Ad“Napoli are a point ahead at the top of the league, and those two are showing their quality, playing week in, week out. It just shows you the quality that the Scottish players actually have.”
Scotland take on Croatia and Poland in their next two UEFA Nations League matches as they battle to avoid relegation from League A.
Hutton has boldly backed Scotland to beat Croatia at Hampden on Friday despite their opponents vast experience of going far in major tournaments.
He believes youth and exuberance will work in Scotland’s favour and explained: “Yeah, I’m confident that we can get our first win on the board against Croatia on Friday. Croatia are a good team, but we’re capable of beating them. There's a lot of players that are ageing there and Scotland will look at this as a game to try and get three points.
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Hide Ad“I think we’ve have been close. I know they've not had a win yet, but they've not been ripped apart really. The next step for this Scotland team is to go over that barrier where you are playing bigger teams, you are coming up against the best nations. They've worked hard to get there, and I know the Nations League isn't the be all and end all, and it is about the World Cup qualifiers, but you look when they've got to tournaments. At certain stages they've frozen a little bit so I think playing regularly against these top sides is only going to help them in the long run.”
St Mirren confirm singing of ex-Rangers man
St Mirren have added seven-time Welsh international Declan John to their squad on a short-term contract.
The Cardiff City academy graduate played 42 times for the Bluebirds before signing for Rangers on an initial loan deal which was made permanent in 2018.
Over the course of his Rangers career he made 26 Scottish Premiership appearances before daring to cross the South Wales divide by joining Cardiff’s archrivals Swansea City.
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Hide AdHe made just 11 appearances for the Swans before joining Bolton where he established himself as a first team regular before spending the final season of his contract on loan at League Two side Salford City.
Speaking to stmirren.com, John said: "I’m absolutely delighted to be here.
"It’s been a crazy few days. I came up on Thursday, trained on Friday and went to watch the game on Saturday which was a great win for the boys. I’ve enjoyed it and I’m really looking forward to getting back into training.
Manager Stephen Robinson added: "Declan is here on a short-term deal with a view to extending depending on how it goes.
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Hide Ad"The circumstances we find ourselves in means we’re very short of defence cover. Declan comes in with a vast amount of experience. He’s played at some very high levels and obviously been up in Scotland before as well so we’re very lucky that we’ve been able to get him in.
John will be hoping to make his St Mirren debut in a home match against Aberdeen on Saturday 23 November after the international break.
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