Scotland should cap Nottingham Forest ace as soon as possible says Smith

FORMER Saddlers ace Jamie Paterson this week missed out on the Scotland international call-up he had been tipped to get – but Walsall boss Dean Smith is convinced it will only be a matter of time.

Scotland supremo Gordon Strachan has omitted Paterson from his squad for next month’s friendly with Poland despite the ex-Walsall winger’s scintillating form for Nottingham Forest.

Many Scottish football pundits felt Strachan might be tempted to hand Paterson – who was brought up in Coventry but qualifies to play for Scotland through his parents – his first taste of international football.

However, the 22-year-old will have to wait for his first call-up but Walsall boss Smith – the man who nurtured Paterson’s talents as both youth team boss and, later, first team manager with the Saddlers – believes it will come sooner rather than later.

Smith said: “I certainly think Jamie would be ready for international football if the opportunity arose.

“He’s one I put forward to the under-21s at Scotland and I know Ian McParland, the Forest youth coach, also recommended him.

“Jamie had intimated to me when he was 18 or 19 that he would be interested in playing for Scotland so we forwarded his case but nothing came of it.

“I think Scotland should call him up as soon as they can as he’s getting a lot of attention at the moment.

“He’s come on in leaps and bounds all the time, and played every game for me last season. He’s a player that can be trusted with the ball, he can always score goals and he’s also got better with his defensive responsibilities.

“He can play anywhere really in the forward areas; wide left, right or in a number ten role.

He can carry the ball, he can go past people, he’s comfortable with both feet, and he’s got great balance. He even scored a header the other day and that’s something he’s not renowned for.

“I had no doubts at all that he could go and play in the Championship. Nottingham Forest are probably surprised that he has adapted so quickly. I can see him only going higher in the rest of his career.”