Hibs have tough questions to answer over sickening Hearts clash missile throwing - Ryan Stevenson

Let's talk about Barrie McKay. He’s not one of those guys who bigs himself up so it’s time someone did it for him. For me McKay is the best player in this country who doesn’t play for Rangers and Celtic – and easily has the quality to play for either of the big two.

But just because he quietly goes about his business and doesn’t talk in headlines, he never seems to be in the conversation when Scotland call-ups are being considered. Next month the national team has three games and I really hope Steve Clarke sees what I see whenever I watch Barrie.

If so, he’s got to be in that squad because for all the good players we have from middle to front, few can open defences with a pass or a run in the way he can. He was brilliant against Hibs at the weekend but he’s been amazing for the past 18 months and it’s high time his talent was recognised.

At 27 he’s reaching his prime and has a wealth of experience behind him after bursting on to the scene as a kid at Rangers and then spending a large chunk of his career playing near the top of the English Championship. He’s got one cap but with his talent there should be plenty more and if the partnership he has formed immediately with Lawrence Shankland is anything to go by then Scotland and Hearts can be the beneficiaries.

They look like they’re on the same wavelength. The ball Barrie played in for the goal and the touch and finish from Lawrence were all absolutely outstanding. It’s what separates Hearts from the rest outwith the big two I feel. They’ve got that quality.

I don’t think there are many players in Scotland who could have seen that pass and executed it the way McKay did. When you’ve got an understanding with a player it’s like a sixth sense – you know where he’s going