Why Findlay Curtis is being used as an example as Rangers gem gets Scotland reward

Rangers midfielder Findlay Curtis has earned a call-up back into the Scotland senior side.

Curtis was initially named in Sebastien Pocognoli's senior squad for this window's four UEFA Nations League matches.

However, he then dropped into the Under-21s squad and featured in the clash with Azerbaijan last week.

The 20-year-old registered a pretty remarkable four assists in that match and has now been rewarded.

Curtis is part of Scotland's A side for Tuesday's clash with Slovenia at Hampden Park.

And Pocognoli has explained how the youngster is effectively being used as an example.

What has Sebastien Pogocnoli said about Findlay Curtis?

There was always a good chance Curtis would return to the Scotland senior side for their final game this window.

It seems that notching four assists is simply too much for Pocognoli to ignore.

Instead of travelling to Bulgaria for a Scotland U21 game, Curtis will stay in Glasgow ready to take on Slovenia if called upon.

Asked for the reason behind his decision, Pocognoli talked up the importance of finding a natural bridge between the U21s and senior side.

"Regarding what we try to build as a connection with the Under-21 group, we selected Findlay because he deserved to be here," he told reporters at a news conference on Monday.

"But he needed playing time and the fact that Tony [Docherty] is playing a similar style of play to us, it's a good window for him to show it live and he did fantastically well against Azerbaijan.

"It was clear for us that we want to make this bridge between the two groups, to show also that when you do well, you come back, and it is also a signal for the rest of the group."

Pocognoli is basically using Curtis as an example to show that any of the youngsters who impress will get a chance to shine with the senior side.

'Big clubs to circle for Rangers gem Curtis'

Curtis was loaned out to Kilmarnock for the second half of last season, but Rangers decided they wanted to keep him this time around.

The midfielder has been used 11 times by Derek McInnes in all competitions, starting four times - each in the Scottish Premiership.

When you also factor in he played a couple of times at the World Cup, it is surprising he was not kept as part of the Scotland senior squad this window.

But playing for the U21s has worked out nicely in the end, with Curtis now potentially getting another chance with the seniors if called upon.

On his current trajectory, it is little wonder former coach Kevin Thomson backed "the big clubs to come circling" for Curtis earlier this year.

Thomson also described Curtis as "an unbelievable kid to work with", which is something McInnes and now Pocognoli will benefit from.