I am currently in the USA covering the Champions’ Cup, the pre-season tournament featuring the likes of Barcelona, Real Madrid, Juventus, Manchester City and Manchester United.

I am always on the lookout for a Scottish connection, although unfortunately at this sort of level, they have become few and far between in recent years.

Thankfully, young Scott McTominay, who has been getting decent game-time in the tournament for Jose Mourinho’s side, is pushing his way into the limelight.

He has really caught the eye, and looks every inch the competent defensive midfield player that United have been looking for, and a possible heir to Michael Carrick now that his career is winding down.

This may not be the Manchester United of the Sir Alex Ferguson era, but you still have to be an extremely talented footballer to get anywhere near Jose Mourinho’s side, and the youngster certainly hasn’t looked out of place.

The 20-year-old has been mentioned in regards to a call-up to the Scotland under-21 side in the past, but I wouldn’t be surprised if he was to receive a full cap in the near future for the senior side.

And I would urge Gordon Strachan to make sure that it happens. Although McTominay is on the record saying that he feels more Scottish than anything else, he could technically still play for England having been born in Lancashire.

For some reason, we seem reluctant to give young players a chance in the international set-up, and I do understand that McTominay is short on first-team experience.

It may well be that he goes out on loan this season in order to get that under his belt and aid his development.

But he is already 20 years of age, which is still young in football terms, but not that young when compared to players getting their chance with other countries.

It is an area of the pitch where we may be pretty well served right now, but surely Scotland cannot afford to let someone who can hold his own in the Manchester United team slip from their grasp?