Rory Wilson insists “top guy” John McGinn has a positive impact on all the Scottish players at Aston Villa.
The 17-year-old joined the Premier League side from Rangers last July and has made already made a significant impact across several youth teams.
Wilson has netted 12 goals already this season, including his recent strike for Scotland U21s against Hungary and feels the environment at Villa Park is helping him thrive.
He said: “There are good challenges with the [Aston Villa] 18s and 21s so it is just a case of me pushing on.
“I speak to John McGinn now and again. He is good with all the young Scottish boys at Villa.
“He's a top guy. I have scored 12 goals this season including the Scotland one on Sunday.
"I need to try and push on. We'll wait and see how many goals I score. I take it game by game.
"I don't have that much involvement with the first team, just now and again. I think it is really important though if I get the opportunity to go and take it and learn as much as I can.”
The striker is now a regular with the Aston Villa U18s and feels the quality of the players he is training with daily has allowed him to develop his game.
“It's a really strong squad we have,” he continued. “I need to keep pushing on and if I get the opportunity, just try my best.
"Obviously, the standard down there is top drawer especially with the first team. There are world class players everywhere.
"What you hear about it is what you get. But that's what you want. It's up to me to push myself.
“It took me a bit of time at first to settle in because you are away from your family for the first time.
"But you get used to it. You have to get on with it and take it in your stride."
Wilson came through the youth academy at Rangers and was keen to praise both of his former Ibrox team-mates, Alex Lowry and Leon King.
The two players featured for Scott Gemmill’s side in the Euro 2025 qualifiers against Hungary and Malta and the forward reckons each of them has what it takes to go to the very top.
“Leon and Alex are both top class and you can see the quality they both have,” he added.
“Leon just takes everything in his stride. He's a top player who handles it brilliantly.
