MARK McGhee today praised the man who pipped him to the Scotland manager's job for giving youth a chance - and tipped David Clarkson and Stephen Hughes to follow in Ross McCormack's footsteps and force their way into the national squad.

Motherwell boss McGhee was delighted when striker McCormack was named in George Burley's squad for the end-of-season friendly match with the Czech Republic in Prague this month.

The ex-Rangers starlet has helped the Steelmen into third place in the SPL this season and to the brink of European football with a string of superb displays up front.

And McGhee, whose team take on Uefa Cup rivals Aberdeen in a massively important league match at Fir Park tomorrow, reckons he is not the only player in his squad good enough to play for his country under new boss Burley.

McGhee said: "Ross, as much as anybody we have in the squad here, deserves it. He is a good player and there is so much more to come from him. I think that in the future he will make competitive appearances for Scotland.

"This game against the Czech Republic will be a great start for him. Ross still has to prove he is good enough to play at inter-national level, but I have no doubt that he will achieve that given time."

McCormack, widely expected to make a move to Barclays Premier League side Wigan when his contract expires in the summer, has revealed he may be tempted to stay at Motherwell after receiving a Scotland call-up.

And McGhee reckons Ross could be joined in future squads by some of his Well team-mates - and hopes that will help him to lure more top players to the Lanarkshire club.

He said: "I think players outwith the club will look at Ross getting into the Scotland set-up and see Motherwell as a place where they can become better players and genuinely further their careers.

McGhee was interviewed for the Scotland job earlier on this season along with Burley as the SFA tried to find a successor to Alex McLeish. However, he pledged his future to Motherwell after club captain Phil O'Donnell tragically collapsed and died during a game against Dundee United at the end of last year and Burley was handed the position.

But McGhee was pleased to see Burley name up-and-coming Scottish players Christophe Berra, Steven Fletcher, James Morr-ison, McCormack, Kevin Thomson and Steven Whittaker in his 23-man squad to face the Czech Republic on May 30.

He added: "What George has done is absolutely brilliant. Picking guys like Ross and other promising young players also expands his squad and gives him increased options for the World Cup qualifying campaign.

"In all likelihood, a lot of these guys won't be in the squad for Scotland's next competitive match, but this game gives George the chance to look at them and see what they can offer."