LEWIS Macleod today expressed hope he can handle the massive step up to the Scotland squad - thanks to playing alongside so many international stars at Rangers.

Gers midfielder Macleod was a surprise inclusion in Gordon Strachan's pool for the forthcoming matches with the Republic of Ireland and England.

The 20-year-old has once again been in outstanding form for the Ibrox club this season and has already scored seven goals in all competitions.

Those strikes include the winners against SPFL Premiership clubs Inverness Caledonian Thistle and St Johnstone and a stunning overhead kick against Livingston.

But few expected him to be called up by his country for the Euro 2016 qualifier with Ireland and the friendly international with England at Celtic Park later this month.

The prodigiously talented youngster, though, does not lack self-belief and is optimistic he can impress alongside the likes of Darren Fletcher, Steven Fletcher and James Morrison.

For he thinks that training at Auchenhowie every day and playing with ex-Scotland men Kris Boyd, Lee McCulloch, Kenny Miller and Lee Wallace will have prepared him well.

"There's obviously a lot of big names in the Scotland squad," he said.

"But I am looking forward to it and will want to try my best. I've always believed in myself and my ability.

"Most of the guys in the Scotland squad are playing at a high level in the Championship and Premier League down in England week in and week out and I will learn a lot from them as a player.

"But I've learned a lot already training with the likes of Jig, Boydy, Kenny and Waldo. I have only spoken to them briefly about my call-up, but they have told me to take it in and enjoy every moment."

Strachan is keen to give Scotland's most promising players a taste of what being involved in the national squad is like in order to help them in the future.

He called up both Ryan Gauld of Sporting Lisbon and Stevie May of Sheffield Wednesday for the Euro 2016 double-header against Georgia and Poland last month.

May has also been named in this squad.

And Macleod has ­acknowledged the competition for a place in the midfield for the huge games against the Republic of Ireland and England is stiff and he is unlikely to start or even be involved.

He said: "When you see the midfielders Scotland have in the squad there are a lot of options - especially when you look at the boys who don't start in the squad.

"They play at a high level and can do just as well. But it's going to be a good experience for myself and I am looking forward to it.

"I didn't really think I was going to get called-up.

I was actually thinking more about the Under-21 squad. But when I heard I was delighted." Rangers boss Ally McCoist spoke about not letting Macleod get carried away with his promotion to the senior Scotland squad after his call-up was announced on Tuesday.

He is keen to ensure the lad he plucked from the obscurity of the youth ranks at Murray Park and handed a first-team debut to in the Third Division two years ago ­fulfils his enormous potential.

Macleod is determined to maintain his current high standard of play and help the Light Blues win the SPFL Championship and promotion back to the top flight this season.

He reckons the massive games that Rangers have coming up in both the league and the cup competitions will ­ensure that he remains firmly focused on football.

Rangers cut the lead held by Hearts at the top of the second-tier table to just four points with their 3-0 win over Cowdenbeath at Central Park on Tuesday night.

And they take on the undefeated capital club at Tynecastle a fortnight on Saturday in what is shaping up as one of the most important matches of the 2014/15 campaign.

On top of that, the League One champions have drawn another top flight club in the fourth round of the Scottish Cup and will play Kilmarnock at Ibrox at the end of this month.

Then, of course, there is the not so small matter of the League Cup semi-final against fierce city rivals Celtic early next year - the first Old Firm game in nearly three years.

Macleod said: "There's a lot of big things coming up for myself, but I know I've just got to concentrate on our game with Falkirk on Saturday and just focus on that.

"Between the Scotland games and the Celtic game I have received a lot of requests for tickets from friends and family. I've already lost track of who has asked for what!

"One of the main problems for young players is them getting carried away too quickly. They start doing the wrong things.

"But I'm just concentrating on doing the right things and working hard and keeping my head down."

Macleod's promotion to the Scotland squad is even more remarkable when you consider that he spent the second half of last season on the sidelines after contracting a debilitating virus.

The lengthy and worrying spell that he had out of action should ensure that he does not take any success or personal recognition that he receives for granted.

He said: "The Scotland call-up just shows how far I've come when you consider I wasn't well for so long. I have started well so far this season. I'm just glad what has happened."