Celtic fullback Mikael Lustig has insisted that the Parkhead squad should form the nucleus of Alex McLeish’s side after their recent form of the Scots within Brendan Rodgers’ side.

McLeish’s side have a Nation’s League double header against Albania and Israel, games they need to win not least of all because of the dearth of negativity around the national team.

James Forrest was left out of the starting line-up against Israel last month as Scotland lost 2-1 in Haifa, a decision that baffled Lustig who believes that Forrest is currently the best player in the country.

“It’s not just lately – as long as they have been playing they have made a contribution,” said the Swede. “James has been flying and when he’s on form there’s no better player in Scotland in my point of view.”

Callum McGregor, the only Celt this term to play in every game, has ably deputised for the injured Scott Brown over the last month while there is also a decision for McLeish to make on how and if he fits Kieran Tierney and Andy Robertson into the same side.

And while Lustig is wary of picking a team he has voiced his belief that his colleagues are more than capable of putting their stamp on the national side.

“Even when he was not in the team I’ve always said that Cal was one of the most important players in the squad and now he’s here and starting every game,” said Lustig. “Callum has four or five [best roles in the team]. That’s why I said he is really important guy to have because he can play everywhere.

“He has proved how much he has developed under the gaffer.

“KT is KT. He’s never going to have a bad game and we always know what we are going to get.

“Now you can add Ryan [Christie] to that list – he has been brilliant. So all I can say is ‘Scotland for the Euros!’

“I wouldn’t be surprised if they all played for Scotland but I’m not going to pick the team. I don’t like that when others talk about my team so I won’t say too much about Scotland.

“But of course they wouldn’t let anyone down. They are top class players and good lads as well so they will be important for Scotland.”

Celtic beat Bundesliga side Leipzig last week in the Europa League, opponents who did not sport one German player within their starting XI.

The Scottish spine at Celtic is something that Lustig credits as giving the Parkhead side an authentic heartbeat.

“As a fan you want to see people who have been raised at the club and to have players such as Kieran, Callum and James brought up with the club at heart is massive,” he reflected.

“They know everything about the club and can pass that on to others coming into the system from other teams or abroad.”

Celtic have rounded off for the international break on top of the league and with a fighting chance of progression into the latter stages of the Europa League following their win over Leipzig last week.

A return to Rosenborg awaits at the end of the month before the final Group B game against Salzburg will formally decide Celtic’s European fate.

With both Leipzig and Salzburg owned by global energy drinks company Red Bull, Lustig has shrugged off any fears of a carve up given that both clubs will want to get out of the group.

“As a footballer the Salzburg players will want to prove they are better than Leipzig,” said the defender. “I don’t worry about that.

“We’re doing well domestically but we want to prove we can do it in Europe too.”