Andy Robertson and Kieran Tierney can both play in the same Scotland side, says Roy Aitken

Former Celtic skipper Aitken made his international breakthrough in 1979 just as right-backs Jardine and McGrain were preparing to bring the curtain down on their international careers.

Despite playing in the same position, the Rangers and Celtic pair both made vital contributions to the national cause - including helping Scotland qualify for the 1974 World Cup - with McGrain often shifting to the opposite flank to ensure their twin talents did not go to waste.

Moving Hoops left-back Tierney from his favoured berth to the right remains one of the options open to Alex McLeish as he looks to solve a modern version of that selection dilemma also involving Liverpool player Robertson.

But whatever way the Scotland boss decides to line up, Aitken reckons both players have the quality to work together.

Speaking as he was inducted into the Scottish Football Hall of Fame, he told Press Association Sport: "I came in towards the end of Sandy and Danny's time together in the national team and they were both terrific players.

"But the best teams, and Jock Stein and Alex Ferguson will tell you this, are not always made up of the 11 best players - they are made up of the best blend of personnel.

"It's up to Alex to get that balance right. If he feels he can move one of the guys across to the other side, he will only do it if he feels it will get the best out of the group.

"But at this moment in time with the system he's been using, I don't think he's asking any of the players to do something they are not capable of doing.

"Andy is playing slightly further forward than he is for Liverpool but he can play right up and down the whole left-hand side, Kieran can play narrower no bother. It's good to be flexible. I played umpteen positions throughout my career.

"If the manager has got confidence in you to play in a position then go give it your best.''

Aitken knows McLeish better than most having worked as his right-hand man during his first spell in charge of the national team and then when he quit the Hampden hotseat to take over at Birmingham.

McLeish' second stint as Scotland boss has not yet lived up to the heights he managed 11 years ago and last week's 2-1 Nations League loss to Israel has raised question marks over his leadership.

But Aitken feels the former Rangers boss deserves the chance to turn things around.

He said: "It's a difficult job right now but I think we just need to give him the time. We obviously want to top this Nations League group and I have every confidence we'll do that.

"He's got these Nations League games coming up next month but then the real stuff takes over in March when the traditional qualifiers start.

"So no matter what happens with this Nations League campaign, it's just preparation for the bigger stuff.

"I certainly don't think it's a disaster if they don't progress in the Nations League. He will want the performance levels to improve from the Israel game but I've got confidence in him that he will meet that challenge head on.'

• superscoreboard