AS DEBATE rages over Scotland’s "Nando’s generation", Jamie McCart strikes you more as a superfood salad kind of lad.

Grim warnings from the likes of SFA performance director Malky Mackay and PFA Scotland chairman John Rankin over half-committed young footballers may ring true regarding the majority.

But, if glowing reports from the Inverness Caley Thistle coaching staff are any measure, McCart, the on-loan Celtic defender, is an exception to the rule.

The Highlanders have been blown away by McCart’s work ethic and dedication as the 19-year-old centre-half sets about proving he can bridge the gap from the development league to first team action in Scotland’s Premiership.

McCart certainly plugged a big hole in the Inverness defence as injury troubles struck the club and has played a significant part in their revival in the relegation battle.

He is yet to taste defeat in Caley Thistle colours after five appearances after four draws and a victory over Rangers.

The promising teenager isn’t about to disparage his own generation, but can certainly cast light on from a personal perspective on the mental strength and commitment it takes to make the leap from the cosseted under 20 league environment.

Fresh from earning his Scotland Under-21 debut in the scoreless draw with Estonia, McCart said: “I’ve been on a great learning curve. I’m so grateful to the manager and coaching staff here for giving me the platform to show what I can do.

“Hopefully, I keep rewarding them. The experience is invaluable – playing in a first team environment. It’s such a great club and great group of players, I feel I’m improving every day.

“I just need to keep focusing on that. Celtic stay in touch and have been asking how I’m doing, but most of that will go on behind the scenes. I just focus on the day-to-day.

“I don’t want to get too far ahead of myself. I’m just working hard.

“I probably wouldn’t have got the chance for the Scotland Under-21s because it is a world away when you’re playing Under-20s football.

“There’s not that same pressure. The standard at first team level is a lot higher.

“Playing at places like Tynecastle and against Rangers, and being in a relegation battle, the intensity has jumped up massively for me.

“That’s the main difference. If you go into Under-20s games, it IS about development. There’s no pressure, win or lose, play well or play badly. Every game here in the top division is a pressure game. You win or get slaughtered.

“But I enjoy that pressure. I just try to keep improving. It is only making me a better player, a better person.”

McCart, though, offers some proof the current development league set-up is barely preparing youngsters for the big time. Stepping up provided a culture-shock.

“There probably should be more of a bridge between the levels. It’s quite a big jump. I noticed that myself in terms of intensity and standard," he stressed. "If you have the mentality to handle it, if you’re strong enough mentally, you can come in and cope with it, but it is a really tough battle. You could easily fold under that pressure.

“But if you have the right mentality and are willing to work hard, embrace the change, it makes all the difference.

“In Celtic’s Under-20s, I was used to us having all of the ball and constantly playing it out from the back under little pressure. Then I found myself in a relegation battle with all the pressures that entails. The manager here has helped me massively.

“I’ve had to change my game in terms of what I do on the ball but it has only benefited me. I needed to develop the defensive aggression.”

McCart feels Caley Thistle have taken a huge psychological boost after moving off bottom place on goal difference following the Highland derby draw.

Building on it against Kilmarnock, though, is obviously crucial.

“It was massive for us to move off bottom place, but the next game is the biggest of the season every week now," he added. “Hopefully we can carry the momentum we enjoyed before the international break.

“It will be a tough game against Kilmarnock and it’s one both teams will really be up for, but hopefully we can get the win.

“We’re positive going into every game. We always think the same way and we’re always really aggressive and positive in how we want to play.”