FIRST impressions do count for a lot and Malky Mackay’s early indication that he will give untried players the chance to change Scotland’s struggling fortunes is an encouraging sign which ought to be welcomed.

The group named for next Thursday’s friendly against the 
Netherlands at Pittodrie is not quite spine-tingling but it is different – and different is good. 

Paul Hanlon of Hibernian, Rangers midfielder Ryan Jack, Ryan Christie, on loan at Aberdeen from Celtic and Jason Cummings, now of English Championship side Nottingham Forest, were handed their first call-ups. 

Read more: Malky Mackay won't rule out becoming Scotland manager full-time

It is now up to them and others to prove they are an upgrade on what Gordon Strachan relied upon during two failed attempts to get Scotland to a major finals.

Favourites of Strachan such as Chris Martin, Steven Fletcher, Barry Bannan, Grant Hanley, Steven Naismith and Ikechi Anya are missing – but while Mackay intimated that nobody had retired and instead asked to sit out this game, we may have seen the last of some of the 30-plus players in a Scotland jersey. 

Although Scott Brown, 32, and Darren Fletcher, 33, have again been called up, names which for many will be mouth-drying.

At least Mackay has thrown the dice for what will be a public job interview and for that he deserves credit. When qualification for the 2020 European Championships begins in less than a year’s time, Scotland will need to look and play differently than before. There is, quite simply, no alternative.

“Two or three of the Under-21 players are chapping on the door of 
this squad right now,” said Mackay at Hampden as he took his first, perhaps of many, press conferences as Scotland manager.

“We’ve got to give them the chance to build properly as footballers – and then bring them into the national squad. That pathway is my baby. 
Bringing youngsters through to become international players for the senior team.

Read more: Malky Mackay won't rule out becoming Scotland manager full-time

“Some of the guys, because we have a longer lead-in time to the 2020 campaign after not getting to the World Cup, can stake a claim now. We have two or three friendlies before we hit a European qualifier in September.

“Jason’s scores from the scouts who have gone to watch him this year have been terrific. We see him as a young Leigh Griffiths. 

“Ryan was Aberdeen captain and a consistent performer for them and, again, through people I speak to at his own club and previous club and scouts, is another talented player who we are giving a chance to. 

“The two young centre backs at the Under-21s at the moment, Ross 
McCrorie and Scott McKenna, have great potential, so going forward it might not be such a problem position as it has been in the past couple of years. 

“Paul is due a chance and it does not matter what age that comes at – 
sometimes players mature at a different rate and have a period of their career when they are doing well. Why should they not be given a chance as well?”

So why are Fletcher and Brown in the squad? Both will be in their mid-30s by 2020 and in the case of Fletcher, in particular, it is difficult to recall when this fine player produced a memorable performance for his country.

“I’m not sure if Scott Brown or Darren Fletcher make themselves 
available for their country that there would be too many people who wouldn’t want them there,” said Mackay. 

“At every football club you need a blend of youth and experience, and those are two players who have got vast experience. With a lot of the younger ones, I think you need that strength of experience, that character, and the type of personalities that they both are in among that.

“I wouldn’t advocate bringing the whole Under-21 squad up to play full internationals, you need a mix and a blend to qualify for tournaments. It’s always better for a young player to play alongside an experienced player.”

Read more: Malky Mackay won't rule out becoming Scotland manager full-time

Mackay does currently have a day job and a not unimportant one. 
Project Brave might sound like an episode of Outlander; however, it is the blueprint to improving the game in Scotland and creating elite academies across the country.

Not everyone is buying into it, which would make the cynic in us all think that the poisoned chalice if being Scotland manager was an easier gig than the one Mackay will return to after this match.

“It’s something we have to do together or nothing ever changes and the definition of madness is doing the same things and expecting a different outcome,” he said.

“I understand the lack of finances in Scottish football. I came from a club at the bottom in Queen’s Park and I know there are not the finances to do everything but there is still a moral duty to put together an academy for the community.

“We have to do it with and not against the clubs. We can’t railroad it through. The working party on Brave was put together by the clubs.”
Hitting brick walls with Project Brave or the chance to lead Scotland to a major final. Ask yourself this; what would you do?