RICKY SBRAGIA is happy for Scots starlet Jack Harper to miss international duty this week as he looks to make his mark at Real Madrid.

The 18-year-old, who was born in Malaga to parents from Barrhead, will not feature for Scotland's Under-19 side when they face the Czech Republic in a friendly at Cappielow tonight.

Instead the forward will turn out for Real's Juvenil A side at a youth competition in Ourense in Spain as he continues his progress through the Bernabeu ranks.

Sbragia said: "Real Madrid have some games coming up and Jack is now at the stage where he wants to try to break into that team.

"They have a tournament in Spain so we felt it would be better for him if he stayed with Madrid.

"His thoughts are about trying to establish himself at Madrid. It is going to be difficult but he is doing okay."