GOUROCK footballer Greg Taylor says having his former Kilmarnock manager Steve Clarke as the new Scotland boss has worked in his favour after earning his first call-up.

The 21-year-old is training with the national team for the first time today, ahead of Euro 2020 qualifiers against Cyprus and Belgium.

Clarke was calling on Taylor to get a national team call-up at the start of May, shortly before he was appointed as the new national team manager.

The former Clydeview Academy pupil is delighted to be playing under Clarke again just weeks after his departure from Rugby Park.

He told the Tele: “He drummed me up a wee bit before and then there were rumours he was going to be a strong candidate for the job, so I knew I had half a chance if he was going to get the job and it would work in my favour. I’ve got a good relationship with the manager.

“It was a bit bittersweet when we lost him from Kilmarnock, but it gave me half a chance I could be involved.”

Taylor will team up with fellow Gourock native Lewis Morgan, who plays with Celtic and spent the second half of the season on loan at English League One side Sunderland.

The pair grew up together in the same youth teams, and Taylor says he couldn’t be happier for the ex-St Mirren player, who is aiming to add to his two Scotland caps.

He added: “He’s a good lad. He grew up not far away from me and we played football together when we were growing up.

“He deserves everything he gets for it as he’s worked very hard.”