By Jack Crawford

Helensburgh’s Aidan Wilson has been called up to the Scotland under-19 squad for the first time.

The Rangers defender made the 20-man squad for an International Tournament where Scotland will face Ukraine and tournament hosts Serbia.

The 18-year-old has featured for his country before at under-16 and under-17 level, but will be making his debut for the under-19 squad should he pull on the famous navy blue shirt and he admits it’s something he looks forward to. He said: “I’m happy to represent my country and it’s always a pleasure.”

Wilson, who signed for Rangers from local boys club Ardencaple, was one of several players from the Rangers developmental team to get called up to the squad.

And Rangers Under-20s Coach Graeme Murty, who Aidan works under, said that he’s happy that the hard work by all isn’t going unnoticed and hopes his players can push on even further.

Murty said: “It’s pleasing for them to get that recognition.

“We just have to ensure that this level isn’t the highlight for them. Under-19s football, be it for the national team, isn’t the highlight. We have to make sure we can stretch them and make sure they go to the next level and that’s what we’re aiming to do.”

Wilson featured for Rangers under-20s on Wednesday night against Dumbarton in the Irn-Bru Cup, with the Sons running out 2-1 winners.

Wilson, who started twice for Rangers last season in games with Aberdeen and St Johnstone, insists the young Gers side deserved more from the game.

He said: “I thought it was a tough test, going into men’s football, a men’s environment we thought we’d find it difficult to deal with but I thought we dominated the ball, we really pulled them apart in the first half and I think we deserved to get more out of the game to be honest.

“We had a good couple of chances in the second half, and even the first half, if we were a wee bit more clinical, and a wee bit more patient in the first half then we could get a goal to get ourselves back into the game and we go into the break and give ourselves a chance going into the second half.”

Murty, who was in interim charge of Rangers last season after the departure of Mark Warburton, says that the unfortunate error by Wilson to give away a penalty will be something the youngster will from.

He said: “He’s [Wilson] a learning young man, he’s learning about the game. Although it will be a bit painful for him, it’ll be invaluable for him in his education.

“I’ve said to the players now that this is the level where consequences come in. In academy football you will always get another ball, get the ball back.

“But in cup football, in adult football, there are consequences all the time."