Tyler Fletcher has done in one appearance what his legendary father Darren could never manage across an entire international career.
The youngster made his Scotland debut as a half-time substitute against Curacao at Hampden, impressing enough to earn a place on the plane to the USA.
Darren Fletcher amassed 80 caps for Scotland without ever appearing at a major tournament, making his son’s achievement all the more remarkable.
Tyler had initially been called up only as a training player ahead of the friendly against the Caribbean side.
By all accounts, he made an immediate impression on senior players and coaching staff through the way he conducted himself during that period.
When he was introduced at half-time against Curacao, he continued to strengthen his case with a confident and assured display.
The door to a World Cup squad spot opened when Billy Gilmour suffered a knee injury in the first half of the same match.
The injury was serious enough to rule Gilmour out of even travelling to the United States with the squad.
Scotland manager Steve Clarke had no hesitation in promoting Fletcher from training player to full squad member following that development.
The decision may have come as a disappointment to Lennon Miller and Andy Irving, both of whom had been regulars in previous squads and could reasonably have expected to be first in line for any midfield vacancy.
Fletcher had featured for just seventeen minutes at club level for Manchester United before making his 45-minute Scotland appearance against Curacao.
Despite those limited minutes at senior level, he seized his opportunity and convinced Clarke he deserved to be part of Scotland’s World Cup adventure.
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