Stuart Findlay: How the current Hearts defender became a ‘perfect’ fit at Hearts

Motherwell right-back and Scotland international Stephen O’Donnell recently said all Scottish players should be giving national coach Steve Clarke a “headache” in the run-up to the World Cup.

Findlay and Halkett are two of those players, but Findlay has the advantage of working with Clarke at Kilmarnock.

He is also one game better off than his club-mate, having made his only international appearance in the 6-0 win over San Marino in 2019 under Clarke.

The national team’s head coach is fiercely loyal to players who have served him well, and Grant Hanley, Jack Hendry, Scott McKenna, Souttar and Kieran Tierney appear to be ahead of Findlay in the queue.

“There are probably a few players out there looking at this moment,” McInnes added. “When you go into the big tournaments, there might always be one or two casualties due to injury, you never know.

“If you play for a team at the top of the league, there are always important players in that team. But the likes of Stewart, Craig Halkett, Stephen Kingsley, Harry Milne, those boys, you never know.”

Findlay added: “Every professional footballer, until the day they retire, wants to play for their country. It is the highest honor you can get in a match.”

“I know the manager well and it is no surprise to me how well he has performed. As a Scotland fan, I trust him implicitly to pick the team he thinks is the best.

“For me, the most important thing this season has been to perform well at Hearts. Of course, it will be a massive reward and it will be great to be involved in it.”