Youngsters will get a chance at senior level soon enough - Ricky Sbragia

Scotland Under-21 boss Ricky Sbragia has told his youngsters that while they may not be involved to kick-off the nation's World Cup bid, they can play a part on the road to Russia 2018.

Gordon Strachan named a largely familiar line-up for the senior squad's opening qualifier away to Malta next month.

But there were places for Hearts goalkeeper Jack Hamilton and Tynecastle team-mate Callum Paterson, Celtic left-back Kieran Tierney, Hibernian midfielder John McGinn and Rangers winger Barrie McKay following their recent promotions from Sbragia's group.

And with most of the A squad not getting any younger, Sbragia believes the next generation will be given their chance soon enough.

He said: "I think these lads will be given that opportunity to step up.

"You can never knock experience and at A-team level you probably need it.

"But the induction of young players is refreshing and the fact they are playing first-team football on the whole is important. Guys like Jack Hamilton have gone into the Hearts team and done extremely well. He deserves to go up to the full squad.

"Kieran Tierney has been absolutely fantastic for Celtic and he too deserves his place. Likewise with Callum Paterson and Barrie McKay. They are now keeping their places in the full squad too.

"It's great these guys are going in and it's credit to Gordon for doing that. I'd have no gripe if Gordon took them all.

"With Gordon doing that, there will be others looking to do the same. Guys like John Souttar will be thinking, 'My time will come' - and it will come.

"The 21s is about developing players and I think there is an abundance of players that can make the step up - it's just about when they can make that step up."

Sbragia's immediate focus, though, is picking up two wins against Macedonia and Ukraine in next month's European Championship qualifiers.

The young Scots' hopes of reaching next year's finals in Poland are already virtually over just six games into the 10-match qualifying phase but Sbragia wants to use the games to continue pushing his players on.

He hopes to see a rejuvenated Ryan Gauld after the Sporting Lisbon starlet was allowed to join Portuguese top-flight outfit Vitoria Setubal on loan.

And he has promised former Rangers product Lewis Macleod some action on the pitch after the 22-year-old finally ended his injury hell at Brentford.

"Lewis has had a really poor year to 18 months with injuries," said Sbragia. "I've kept in touch with him, probably phoned him once a month to see how he is, but he's had some really low parts where he's got himself fit but then injured something else.

"From my point of view, though, it's fantastic to have him back.

"The reports I've had back on him have been very good and he's comfortable with what he's doing.

"It was only about 18 months ago he was called up to the A squad and he's desperate to get back involved with the 21s now.

"He's missed a lot of football but I think it can actually make him stronger mentally. It was a testing time but he's come through it now and is back playing, which is a massive bonus for me."

Another who could squeeze himself into Sbragia's midfield is Dundee's summer signing Mark O'Hara.

He earned his one and only Under-21 cap during his days as a defender with Kilmarnock, but Sbragia has been encouraged by his transformation into a marauding playmaker under Dens boss Paul Hartley.

Sbragia explained: "I spoke to Paul yesterday and he told me he's playing in the centre of midfield now.

"I think it's been a great move for him. The change itself has refreshed him. Paul spoke highly of him and the reports I've had back on him after having him watched two or three times is that he's a changed player.

"Mark is a lovely lad and wants to play. I don't think he has a problem where he plays.

"Sometimes changing position can be a gamble, but it's worked. He's scored two goals so far and Paul has done well to identify that."