Stephen O'Donnnell is delighted that Scotland have so many quality young players coming through - as long as the Motherwell captain keeps them at bay and stays in Steve Clarke's plans.
O'Donnell has been a mainstay in that right-back slot, and has fended off the attentions of Nathan Patterson, who recently moved from Rangers to English Premier League side Everton.
But with Celtic's Anthony Ralston and Calvin Ramsay from Aberdeen continuing to do well, O'Donnell's not taking anything for granted.
Speaking ahead of tomorrow's Premiership clash against Hearts at Tynecastle, O'Donnell said: "I don't see it as a battle, I just see it as football.
"Nathan's a top young player, along with a lot of other boys like Calvin Ramsay, Anthony Ralston - there are a lot more, it's not just Patterson.
"There's talent - and hopefully I can keep them at bay for as long as possible!"
O'Donnell says he wants to stay in Graham Alexander's side and maintain his place in Clarke's squad, but concedes that there's only so much he can do.
He said: "The Scotland stuff... a lot of things are outwith your control every time there's a Scotland squad.
"There's a lot of young talent coming through, but there's no stress on that end and I'm just going to try and enjoy my football and look to do well for Motherwell - I think that's the main thing.
"If that happens, other things will follow.
"The manager, both here and at Scotland, knows me well enough and what I can do, and if I'm doing those things then I'll always have a chance - but again, there's a lot of things that are out of our control.
"But I think for Scotland it's just important that as many of us [are available] as the gaffer wants, he has selection headaches and problems, and that will give us the best chance of qualifying for a World Cup.
"I just want to be playing here, playing well, and staying fit. I think that's the three things I want to try and do, that gives him a decision, and that's all I ever try and do."
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