The new Scottish stars transfer model behind Hickey, Doig and Ferguson deals as as 'mentality' that awaits named

Gordon Smith believes Scottish football’s export business of shipping young talent abroad has never had it so good.

Aaron Hickey and then Lewis Ferguson have shone at Bologna, Josh Doig is thriving with Hellas Verona and teenager Max Johnston is set to complete a move from Motherwell to Austria with Sturm Graz. Throw in Liam Henderson starring for Empoli plus Ryan Gauld’s time in Portugal with Sporting Lisbon before the MLS and it’s further endorsement for taking a leap of faith with a continental club.

Smith bucked the trend of staying on these shores in 1986 by swapping Oldham for Austrian side Admira Wacker. The former Rangers and Brighton striker believes the stream of native traffic heading to Europe is all about embracing new cultures and expanding games in other footballing frontiers. Smith said: “The first thing I discovered in Austria is that each player was almost like his own business. There wasn’t any great camaraderie off the field and we hardly ever met up away from the club in groups for a drink or dinner.

“We only met up when there was training or for a match. Another big difference was the dressing-room environment, which in British football was always a very critical one.

“People would be giving each other verbal abuse all the time for a laugh but it’s not the case abroad. Players are very friendly and every morning they would all shake hands as though they were just meeting for the first time.

“I believe players latch on to a different type of management and training. These boys go abroad and their level of focus and concentration on football changes to become the main aspect of being there.

“What happens is a mentality change where their full focus is on how to improve at that level. You look at the