Locke tips ‘fantastic’ Black for Scotland call-up

Black again impressed in Wednesday’s quarter-final Scottish Cup replay win at St Mirren just days after national team scout Mick Oliver watched the 27-year-old hit a sublime pass to set up Craig Beattie for the opening goal in the 2-0 derby victory over Hibs.

Locke knows Black’s combative playing style has at times overshadowed his ability on the park, with the former Inverness player often the target for opposition supporters.

Scotland are next in action in May in a friendly clash with the USA and Locke believes Black, who has two B caps, could land himself a place on the flight for the trip across the Atlantic. Speaking ahead of today’s match at St Johnstone, Locke said: “I think his performances, especially over the last couple of months, have been fantastic.

“I’m not trying to tell Craig Levein who to pick but he must be somebody that Craig must be thinking about selecting in the not too distant future. Sometimes he gets a lot of unfair criticism – he is a fiery character, there is no doubt about that.

“If you take that out of his game, he would not be the same player. I played against him and I always knew he was a good player. You saw the pass that he played through for Beatts when we played Hibs, not a lot of people would have seen that pass.

“For me, he has always been a very good footballer, it was just a case of trying to keep him on the pitch at times.

“I was probably similar myself, that I used to get in a bit of bother, but when you get older and that wee bit more experienced, I think it stands you in good stead and you’re able to bite your tongue a wee bit; he’s doing that now.

“He’s concentrating on his football, he is a top player and hopefully he can continue that to the end of the season.”

Hearts can seal a top-six finish with victory in Perth and Locke knows taking all the spoils against the Saints, who are a point clear in fifth, would vastly improve their chances of landing a European berth.

Locke, who recognises the financial boost of setting up a Scottish-Cup semi-final against Celtic, with the players still awaiting their wages for last month, added: “A club like ourselves should be targeting Europe every season.

“The way things have gone, getting into the top six would be a great achievement for us and I’m sure the players will be quietly thinking, ‘if we can get in the top six, we’re quite close to St Johnstone and Dundee United, and if we can put a few wins together hopefully we can clinch a European place as well’.”

Meanwhile, St Johnstone manager Steve Lomas believes the next nine days could make or break his side’s chances of playing in Europe next season.

With Rangers unlikely to secure a Uefa licence as a result of their financial issues, fifth place in the SPL would secure a Europa League spot.

Saints sit in that position just now – a single point ahead of Hearts. Lomas said: “Key for us is what happens in the next three games. It’s a huge week for the club with Hearts – one of our rivals – at home. Then we’ve got Inverness away, which won’t be easy and then away to Celtic on the Sunday.”

Lomas was also keen to pay tribute to Hearts manager Paulo Sergio and his players for continuing to produce the goods on the park despite off-field issues, which saw them once again not receive their wages on time this month. He said: “All credit to Hearts, they are not being paid wages and it’s almost galvanised them. All credit to Paulo and his players.”