I handed Leigh his full Scotland debut in the game I was in charge for against Luxembourg.
But I had picked him for the Scotland Under-19s when he was a player at Livingston. I had him right through – with the under-19s, the under-21s and then that night with the senior team.
The thing about Leigh was he didn’t like training. I think that is maybe where Brendan Rodgers has had his issues with him since taking over at Celtic.
But Leigh was always the best player for us on match days. You get some players like that.
Frank McAvennie, my old Celtic team mate, was a good trainer. When he was there! He missed training a lot for various reasons. But on a Saturday he was always flying. It was just the way he was. He was different.
These players have something inside them. During a game they will always give their all for you. As a coach, you have to recognise that.
Everybody recognised that Leigh was a great goalscorer when he was at Livingston. But he can do other things now. He has matured. He has improved his game with his back to goal.
In the Scotland game against England he handled the physical aspect well. He got us up the park, broke into wide areas, kept the ball, gave it to his team mates. His all-round game has come on.
When you have got that finishing ability it is just a question of whether chances can be created for you at full international level. When you are a goalscorer you will take them.
He did a great job up front for Scotland against England. Gordon Strachan acknowledged that.
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