Gary Mackay-Steven has looked-on admiringly as four of his former Dundee United team-mates have become integral to Alex McLeish’s Scotland squad.

Andrew Robertson, John Souttar, Stuart Armstrong and Johnny Russell were all part of the national side that filleted Albania in the UEFA Nations league fixture last week and now Mackay-Steven, currently in his best form, would like to join them.

The pacey Aberdeen winger, in the final year of the two-year deal he signed when leaving Celtic in the summer of last year, remembers with fondness those Tannadice times with players with star potential.

“My focus is really on Aberdeen just now,” he said. “I am not looking too far ahead but all players want to represent their country and I am no different.

“But it’s great my ex-team mates from our Dundee United days doing so well and I am delighted for them.

“They have all done well.

“They have all taken different paths but it is great to see each and every one of them performing at a high level.”

Liverpool full-back Robertson’s meteoric rise to become a contender for the best player in his position in English football, has been well documented, while Armstrong is producing excellent form for Southampton following his £7m summer switch from Celtic.

Defender Souttar, meanwhile, is a key figure in the rise of Hearts this season while Russell, a £750,000 signing by Derby County from Dundee United five years ago, now operates in the MLS with Sporting Kansas City, as Mackay-Steven looks on in admiration.

He said: “We had a good bunch of lads at United. A lot of them are doing well for themselves and it is great to see.

“I will just continue to go on my own path but be happy for them at the same time.

“It is certainly no surprise the boys are playing at a high level and for the national team.

“I knew the talent they had.

“They had different capabilities but they were all great players in their own right.

“It is no surprise to see them playing for Scotland.”

As for his own future at Pittodrie, he revealed no contract talks have taken place with Dons manager Derek McInnes as he concentrates on continuing the good form he has shown since the start of the season.

He said: “I am at the age where I need to be playing football.

“I am performing the way I know I can and that is where my sole focus is.

“I am really relaxed about the contract situation.”