Kenny McLean has declared he spotted “something special” in teenager Tyler Fletcher from the very first training session they shared together this week.
The Norwich City captain was left stunned by the level shown by the Manchester United youngster during a training camp ahead of Scotland’s World Cup campaign.
Fletcher, aged 19, is the son of former Scotland skipper Darren Fletcher, and McLean drew direct comparisons between father and son based on his own early experiences in the national squad.
McLean said he told teammates after Fletcher’s first session that the youngster had something extraordinary about him, and he was delighted to see that rewarded with a debut appearance.
Fletcher featured in Scotland’s 4-1 friendly victory over Curacao, impressing alongside Findlay Curtis, who McLean set up for the opening goal of the match.
The teenager had only been called up as part of a small training group invited to work alongside the 26-man World Cup pool, rather than as a fully confirmed squad member.
However, a knee injury to Napoli midfielder Billy Gilmour during the Curacao clash has dramatically changed the picture and opened the door for Fletcher to board the plane to America.
Scotland manager Clarke has acknowledged that Fletcher is “a bit closer than anyone else” among those on standby to replace the injured Gilmour in the tournament squad.
McLean said: “People speak about the future, but a lot of these young lads are the present. We have had a few in with us this week and I have been so impressed.”
“Tyler came on and I can’t speak highly enough of him. I said to the lads after his first session ‘I can see something special in him’ so I was glad he got on after the week he has had.”
McLean also reflected on his own early experiences alongside Darren Fletcher, noting that the elder Fletcher stood out immediately during their shared Scotland squads.
“In my first couple of squads I played with his dad. And, for me, in my first session he stood out a mile. Fortunately for Scotland, his son is pretty similar,” McLean said.
The Norwich captain praised Findlay Curtis in similar terms, pointing out that Curtis had made such a strong impression at the previous camp that he had already secured his World Cup spot.
McLean added that the group of young players currently emerging represent not just Scotland’s future but a genuine force in the present, capable of making a difference at the tournament itself.
Scotland are set to fly to the United States imminently, leaving Clarke with very little time to finalise his decision on who fills the remaining seat on the plane.
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