Aaron Hickey and Scotland: Why under-21s disquiet has been put to one side by Steve Clarke

Craig Brown used to react to a clamour to pick a certain player he might have been unconvinced about by appearing to take public opinion on board.

The Scotland manager would then let the player involved play himself out of contention.

He would hear no more about it thereafter. That isn’t the plan for Aaron Hickey, who is the latest subject of what has felt like a public campaign to see him recognised at full international level.

A desire for a peaceful life isn’t why current Scotland manager Steve Clarke has perhaps ignored his better judgement or at least his instincts when naming the 19-year-old full-back in his squad for two upcoming friendlies, the first of which takes place on Thursday night against Poland.

He might have preferred to leave things a while, particularly given the circumstances. There’s been disquiet about Hickey – or at least his father’s – questionable attitude towards involvement with the Under-21s.

If he was not half as talented and Bologna wasn't landlocked then he might have been told to take a long walk off a short pier by now.

Instead, Hickey has prepared a compelling case for inclusion by starting all bar two of Bologna’s game in Serie A so far this season. The perceived sins of the father cannot be visited on the son.

Clarke is nobody’s fool. One only needs to reflect on his treatment of Ryan Fraser to realise this. The Newcastle player has enjoyed a sustained period of good form at club level and might have expected to be named in the current Scotland squad.

But there was that little matter of dropping out of the last squad when Clarke expected more commitment as Scotland stood on the brink of a play-off spot.

Fraser cited an injury but was then photographed training with his Newcastle