It’s not often we ‘agree’ with Tom English, but not only was John Souttar the only Rangers player (again) called up for Scotland, but he was only of only 7 Premiership-based call ups in the squad, the rest all Premier League, Championship or global.

We have long complained about Rangers’ neglect of Scottish-based players (although shouldn’t be long before Connor Barron is starting to get the calls) but it’s not just Rangers – Celtic as well only have three call-ups themselves, which as current dominant Scottish champions is abysmal.

When Rangers were most recently managed by Walter Smith, and champions, our club was chock-full of Scottish players – McGregor, Weir, Whittaker, Hutton, Thomson, Ferguson, Boyd, Miller.

All Scottish internationals as well.

Now? We have just Souttar, maybe in the future Barron, and a fringe man in Liam Kelly, whose place has now gone to Kilmarnock stopper Robby McCrorie.

Is there an element of Rangers hate? Nah, not in this pick. Kelly doesn’t play and McCrorie does. We also have no one else unless you think Devine, King and Lowry are good enough for the NT.

It’s a depressing situation that Scottish football finds itself in.

And the Tom English angle?

The fact he raised that report recently which revealed Scottish clubs basically ignore Scottish youth.

It’s not just Rangers, it’s nationwide.

Aberdeen and Celtic are probably best for giving these kids a chance (hence Barron et al), but overall, it’s nowhere near where it should be, and it’s why the national manager has to pick 70% of his players from down south, and a great number of the picks aren’t actually Scottish!

But we go back to Walter and 2007, and you’re talking a healthy chunk of SPL (Rangers)-based players in that squad.

What has to change?

A lot of things, but it just feels like clubs north of the border don’t give the serious chances to our own youth, and this knock-on effect means that one day, no Scottish club will actually contribute players to the NT.

Unless those things change. Unfortunately, in the last 17 years, it’s completely gone the wrong way.

That report will end up completely ignored.