Jack MacKenzie tipped for dream Scotland call as Aberdeen star has a 'bit of Kieran Tierney about him'

Peter Leven believes Jack MacKenzie has similar attributes to Kieran Tierney and can follow him into the Scotland squad.

The 24-year-old full back has had a decent season and was named Aberdeen’s young player of the year. The Dons interim boss reckons MacKenzie has everything needed to be a top modern-day full-back but should have more belief in himself going forward in the final third. Leven said: “Jack has done really well this year. He has come on leaps and bounds and really impressed me.

“I said to him he has the attributes, that Tierney thing about him, where he can drive forward powerfully on his left foot. I said to Jack, ‘You need to bring that more. Take the strikers that way as some of them don’t want to do it’. He just needs to believe in himself a bit more but he has shown that at times this season.

“I think he was more of a defensive full-back last season but this year I’ve seen what he can do. Jack has pace and power and just needs to pick the right decision to either shoot or pass when he’s in the box. When he drives forward he is very good.”

Leven knows Scotland have Andy Robertson, Tierney and Greg Taylor slugging it out for the left-back slot. He is in no doubt MacKenzie will continue to improve and can go on to become the next Aberdeen graduate to win a Scotland cap. He added: “I think Jack could push into the Scotland squad over the next few seasons. He has got real potential. It’s down to him and a little bit of luck.

“Scotland are in quite a strong position on that left side. Jack is a great kid, works hard every day and wants to get better. He has a great future in the game.”

Leven has worked individually to improve a lot of the Aberdeen squad at Cormack Park. He said: “I spend a lot of time with