As the son of former England centre-back Martin Keown (hadn’t you heard?), Niall Keown knows a thing or two about international quality when he sees it.
And when he looks at teammate Liam Lindsay, there is no doubt in his mind that the young defender has it.
So much so, that Keown believes his central defensive partner at Firhill should be called up to the Scotland squad for the forthcoming friendly against Canada and the qualifier against Slovenia.
Thistle’s backline has been superb recently, with Lindsay more than playing his part in racking up seven clean sheets from the last nine games.
The 21-year-old also poses a threat at the other end, with his strike against Hearts on Saturday taking him to seven for the season.
Despite remarkably never having been capped at under-21 level, Keown is sure that Lindsay could handle the step up to senior international football.
“I think Liam should definitely be involved in the Canada friendly and I don’t see why they wouldn’t take that opportunity to have a closer look at him,” Keown said.
“Friendlies are an opportunity to bleed young players in and the experience would be invaluable for him really. That first training camp, especially with it being a friendly and probably having a little bit more of a relaxed atmosphere, would be great for him.
“I don’t see why they wouldn’t be taking that opportunity to have him there. Obviously it’s not up to me, you have to leave that down to the Scotland manager, but good luck to him if that happens. He would really deserve it.
“Liam has been great ever since I’ve been here, and I’ve heard he was much the same in the first half of the season.
“He’s been really good. He’s very strong in the air, he takes up good positions and he’s been defending well, and that’s helped us as a team. Long may that continue.”
Speculation was rife over Lindsay’s future during the January transfer window with Leeds United reported to be interested in prising him away from Thistle.
Should such a move happen in the future, Keown – who is on-loan from Reading – has no doubt over Lindsay’s ability to handle it.
“Liam could definitely cope with a move to England in the future,” he said. “I think the Championship, for instance, would play to his strengths.
“It’s quite varied, and he’s good enough to cope with the more physical teams who like to go long, and he’s also good when there are smaller strikers in and around him.
“He copes well with all sides to the game and I think he’d do well in that league.”
Keown has put the Jags recent solid showings down to hard work on the training field and clear instructions from manager Alan Archibald.
It is of little wonder that he is enjoying his stint north of the border, given Thistle’s upturn in form since mid-December.
He said: “We’ve been working hard on our shape in training and the manager has given us a clear message over what he wants at the back, and I think we’re doing that well at the moment.
“I’m really enjoying the opportunity that I’m getting here and being able to play more regular football.
“The manager, Scott, the staff and the boys have made me feel really comfortable here and I’m really enjoying my time here.
“I’m enjoying my football too, and luckily we’ve enjoyed some good results of late.
“Long may that continue, and obviously now we are concentrating on a massive game at Dundee tomorrow night.
“We’re confident we can win any game at the moment because we’re playing really well.”
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