“I’ll need more goals” – Bowie in battle for Scotland place

Pouille had gone nine games without scoring before the visit of Dundee, and it looked like that barren run might continue as he wasted two chances from close range.

However, the centre-forward shrugged off those misses to score the first goal and then set up Jamie McGrath for the second.

“The thing that’s happy for me is that he’s back on the scoresheet and he’s continuing to put himself in those positions,” Gray said.

“I think there is a lot to come from Kieron.

“It’s not just the goals he brings to the team, it’s the selfless work he does that sometimes goes unseen.”

Clarke demands a similar change from his striker, with Che Adams and Lyndon Dykes often battling alone to stop play for the Knights’ supporting midfielders.

George Hirst also fits that bill, while Lawrence Shankland made the most of his Scotland ticket with a classic goal against Denmark.

Clarke is fiercely loyal and there may only be four forward slots available next summer, so it will be up to Bowie and others on the sidelines to attract interest.

“Shows like today are what need to be presented as regularly as possible,” Gray added. “Scoring goals affects the game.

“And for all the young players in Scotland, there is a carrot now for what can happen at the end of the season if you do well for your clubs heading into the World Cup.

“He’ll definitely benefit from that.”