Brentford boss Dean Smith has tipped Lewis Macleod for a call-up to the Scotland squad after the midfielder’s impressive start to the season.
Macleod, who has represented his country at every level from Under-16 to Under-21, has been a regular in the Bees’ line-up this season, forming a productive central midfield partnership with Josh McEachran.
Smith said: “Lewis is a very popular player among the group and I’m sure it won’t be long before Scotland are knocking on the door.
“He’s not afraid to compete, he’s not afraid to have a shot – and he’s from Glasgow, so he can look after himself.
“It’s been great to have had Lewis at full fitness in recent months, although he cramped up a little bit towards the end.
“We’ve got a good squad of players and it’ll be scary when we’ve got the likes of Moses Odubajo, Rico Henry and Josh Dasilva back to fitness in the next month.”
Macleod played a part in the move that led to Neal Maupay’s opening goal as the Bees overcame 10-man Wigan 2-0 at Griffin Park to move up to second place in the Championship table.
Maupay, who was back after a three-match suspension for stamping on Aston Villa’s John McGinn last month, netted again in the second half to take his tally for the season to seven.
The Frenchman’s second goal effectively put the game to bed, coming just minutes after Wigan midfielder Sam Morsy had been sent off for a headbutt on Yoann Barbet.
Smith added: “It was a tough decision to bring Neal back because we played ever so well (in the previous game) against Nottingham Forest, with Ollie Watkins getting the winner at centre-forward.
“Neal’s in a rich vein of form and he’s shown it today with two poacher’s goals. But knowing Neal as I do, I think he’ll be disappointed he didn’t get more – he had chances and the keeper’s made some good saves.”
This post was last modified on 15/09/2018