JAMIE MURPHY has backed Rangers team-mate Jason Cummings to make the most of his chance to impress for Scotland in the coming days.

The striker made his debut for the Dark Blues in the defeat to Holland in November after being handed a call-up by stand-in boss Malky Mackay.

And now he has been named in Alex McLeish’s first squad as he prepares for the friendly fixtures with Costa Rica and Hungary.

Cummings has scored five goals in 12 games for Rangers since making the loan move from Nottingham Forest during the January transfer window.

And Murphy, who hopes to earn his first international cap at the third time of asking, is pleased to see the 22-year-old joining him for national service this week.

He said: “It is only good for Rangers that there are players in the squad and Jason has done great since he came in to the club, as has Russell Martin. It is disappointing he had to pull out.

“We are here to represent our club and hopefully we can do that by performing well.

“He is a good guy and he is always having a bit of fun and enjoying himself but he is serious when it matters.

“There are a lot of players like that, you only see one side and you think they are the same when they are on the park.

“That is not the case with Jason. He is a good guy and when it gets down to the serious business he is a top player.”