MALKY Mackay has told the uncapped players in the Scotland squad they can launch their international careers if they shine against the Netherlands at Pittodrie tonight.

Mackay is set to hand national team debuts to Ryan Christie and Callum McGregor of Celtic and Ryan Jack of Rangers tonight.

Kilmarnock striker Kris Boyd this week branded the inexperienced squad for the friendly "a laughing stock".

Read more: Malky Mackay set to hand Scotland debuts to on-loan Celtic forward Ryan Christie and Rangers midfielder Ryan Jack

But the caretaker boss believes several of those involved will still be part of the set-up with the UEFA Nations League is played next year and the Euro 2020 qualifying campaign gets underway after that.

“They deserve respect, they deserve that little bit of respect,” said Mackay. “There is a possible future for them as a Scotland player going into a new campaign.

"If some players are nearing the end of their international careers three or four games in to the Euro 2020 campaign then we have got a big problem.

“We have got to try and make sure there is a pathway that allows players the chance to come through. Over the next three or four games players can come in and we can try things out because it’s not actually going to matter when it comes to qualification for Euro 2020.

“Come Euro 2020 there are extra places available as we all know and we obviously want to start qualifying again. That being the case, we have got to allow players the chance to bed in to international football if we think they have got a chance.

Read more: Celtic midfielder Stuart Armstrong leaps to defence of Ryan Christie and Graeme Shinnie after Kris Boyd criticism

“Now, the guys who are picked in that squad are all playing at the best level in Scotland, some play in England. They are all there for a reason. So you give the player a chance to actually become a Scotland player. With some players it is gradual.

Mackay added: “I think the freshness in the squad helps us move on. It’s full of young players, full of players who haven’t played for their country before. When they are playing against Holland they are going to make sure they’re giving the best they can to themselves.

“There will be a good atmosphere here, a good crowd, and really what I’m trying to frame with the guys is that it’s a start of, not friendlies, but the start of four games before next September for the Euro 2020s.

“It’s a chance for them to stake their claim, grab the jersey and go on and win 50 caps. I think that’s a fairly easy sell as far as the players are concerned.”