Scotland manager Alex McLeish has revealed that he intends to hand Manchester United midfielder Scott McTominay his international debut in this month's friendly with Costa Rica.

The 21-year-old rejected advances from England to instead pledge his allegiance to the country of his Glaswegian father.

McTominay has never previously represented either nation at any age-grade level, but he will be part of Scotland's senior squad to take on World Cup-bound Costa Rica at Hampden Park on March 23.

Speaking to Sky Sports News on Friday morning, recently-appointed boss McLeish said: "He will be in the squad. I don't think that's the world's best kept secret at this particular moment.

"Scott was very receptive. I looked him in the eye and he gave me passion about playing for Scotland. I saw the passion and I really felt that we had nailed it that day.

"Of course he has to play a competitive game but if we can get him playing in the friendlies, he can see what it's all about. We can hopefully have some good performances. Obviously winning is the big thing and then Scott can be a part of it.

"He's had some great games with Jose Mourinho at Manchester United. He's only 21, he's not got all the answers -- I'm 59, at my last count, and I've not got all the answers but hopefully he'll get more right than wrong."

McTominay has featured 16 times in all competitions for United in his breakthrough campaign at Old Trafford.