Barry Ferguson has questioned James Penrice's omission from Sebastian Pocognoli's first Scotland squad after the Rangers defender's impressive start to life at Ibrox.
The new Scotland head coach has opted for Andy Robertson, Kieran Tierney and Josh Doig as his options on the left side of defence, leaving Penrice waiting for his first senior international call-up.
Pocognoli has made significant changes in his first squad since replacing Steve Clarke, calling up seven uncapped players and selecting 14 who were not part of Scotland's World Cup squad this summer.
Penrice has not been among those handed an opportunity despite quickly establishing himself in Derek McInnes' Rangers side.
Penrice performing at Rangers
The 27-year-old has flourished within Derek McInnes' side since arriving from AEK Athens on loan and produced another impressive display as Rangers defeated Celtic 3-0 in the Premier Sports Cup quarter-final at Ibrox on Sunday.
Penrice played an important role in the victory, delivering the cross which led to Kevin Kelsy's goal and also providing the ball for an Emmanuel Fernandez header which was subsequently ruled out for offside.
Ferguson believes those performances should have been enough to earn the left-back a place in Pocognoli's squad.
"I'm not just saying it because he's at Rangers," Ferguson said on the Five Stars Podcast.
"I think he's been a standout and I thought he should have been in the Scotland squad.
"I was very, very surprised when it got announced."
Ferguson impressed by Penrice impact
Penrice's exclusion is particularly notable after his performance against Celtic, with former Scotland and Gers’ captain Ferguson pointing towards the defender's influence even as Dan Neil and Kelsy attracted much of the attention following their goals.
Neil scored twice in the 3-0 victory, while Kelsy netted his first Rangers goal as McInnes' side booked their place in the semi-finals.
Penrice's contribution from the left was also significant, however, and Ferguson believes his performances since arriving at Ibrox have demonstrated why he deserved international recognition.
"I want to see guys who are doing really well and coming to a new club," Ferguson added.
"He's flourished, I think, since he's been at Rangers and I think he deserved his call-up.
"I know a lot of people are going on about the weekend, about Dan Neil and Kelsy, and rightly so because they got their first goals for Rangers, but again I thought he was excellent.
"He provided for two of them.”
Penrice's delivery caused Celtic problems throughout the cup tie. In addition to his involvement in Kelsy's goal and the disallowed Fernandez header, he produced an excellent early cross which created an opportunity for Min-su Kim.
Penrice faces strong Scotland competition
Breaking into the Scotland squad at left back is no straightforward task.
Pocognoli has retained captain Robertson and Celtic's Tierney while also selecting Sassuolo defender Doig.
Tierney endured a difficult afternoon during Celtic's defeat at Ibrox, being subbed off in the second half, while Penrice emerged from the derby with his reputation further enhanced.
That single match will not determine Pocognoli's selection decisions, but Ferguson believes Penrice's performances across his Rangers spell merited an opportunity.
Pocognoli has demonstrated with his first selection that he is prepared to introduce new faces, with Luis Binks, Colby Donovan, Luke Graham and Robbie Ure among the uncapped players included in his first squad.
Rangers duo Liam Kelly and Findlay Curtis have made the squad, with 16-year-old Kyle Glasgow earning his maiden call up to Tony Docherty’s U21 side.
Penrice focused on Celtic Park test
Penrice, meanwhile, will have his focus purely on Rangers' next match, a rematch with Celtic this time at Parkhead on Sunday, and the former Hearts' defender says the Ibrox side are travelling to the East End with victory on their mind.
"From our players' point of view, we don't go there and worry about fans,” he revealed.
"We think the game will be different. I think you look at the game, they'll probably change stuff, we'll probably change stuff.
"It'll be a different game, but we'll go there with the mindset that we're going to win.
"That's what you need to do as a Rangers player, you need to go to these places and win."
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