SCOTT MCKENNA is hoping he has done enough in the defeat to Slovakia to stake a claim for a place in the Scotland defence for the crucial Nations League match against Israel on Wednesday night.

McKenna was one of eight players who came into Steve Clarke’s side from the win over Serbia on Thursday, and he was pleased with the performance of the Scots despite the narrow defeat in Trnava.

McKenna says that the fact Scotland were able to play at such a level despite those wholesale changes is a reflection of the strength in depth now at Clarke’s disposal, and he is hoping he can now dislodge one of the back three who started the match in Belgrade.

“We’ve got a lot of quality and experience and it’s great for the manager,” McKenna said.

“Just in the defence, Andy (Considine) and Liam (Cooper) came back in tonight while you’ve also got Craig Gordon in goal.

“All of them have fantastic experience and it’s a joy to play alongside them.

“Of course, I want to stay in the team. But I wasn’t involved last month and I think the lads kept three clean sheets and were absolutely excellent, so I can have no complaints.

“I think I’ve just to do as well as I can when I get the opportunity for Scotland and show the manager what I can do.

“And if not, then certainly I’ve got to perform for my club, keep my performances level and give the Scotland manager something to think about.

“There is a big fight for places but as a player that’s exactly what you want.

“It prevents complacency and I think when you do get a chance to impress you have to try and take it.

“You need to really try and stamp your authority and make yourself noticed.

“But that’s exactly what you want as a player and it’s great to be involved in that set up.

“There were definitely still a lot of positives from the game, particularly when you think of the amount of changes from the other night.

“You think of the boys who had the 120 minutes and penalties the other night and all the emotion that came with that.

“So, the manager had to turn to others to freshen things up and for us to put in that kind of performance, going about our business the way we did with so many changes, is extremely encouraging.

“I think it shows the strength of depth we’ve got now and there is serious competition for places within the squad.”

McKenna believes that the carrot of a place in the Scotland squad for Euro 2020 will ensure that every player will be determined to show their very best whenever they are given an opportunity to get on the pitch for their country between now and the start of the tournament.

“Everyone’s just going to push each other because we all desperately want to be a part of it for Scotland at next summer’s Euro finals,” he said.

“We’re all eager to impress the manager with an eye to next summer.

“And that can only be good for the national team.

“The spirit is very good in the squad. It just comes back to that it doesn’t matter what emotional or physical fatigue there is, all of the lads see it as an opportunity to show the manager what they can do.

“We didn’t get the result [against Slovakia], but I still think everyone gave as much as they could in that performance.

“We definitely merited more.”