By Kyle Gunn 

St Mirren midfielder Kyle Magennis is overjoyed to be included in the Scotland Under-21 squad.

The 19-year-old has been picked to join the group for the European qualifiers against Andorra and the Netherlands.

And Magennis wants to get minutes on the pitch this time as he hasn’t made the grade in his previous two call ups.

He said: “I’m delighted to get called up.

“Obviously I’ve been called up two or three times before but I’ve only made an appearance at under 19 level.

“The past two times I’ve been away with the 21’s, I didn’t make the bench.

“So, hopefully this time I’ll make the bench or maybe even get some game time."

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The academy graduate, who made his debut at the age of 18, feels he is adapting well to the demands of the step up from the Championship to the top flight.

The Gazette:

Kyle Magennis (in red) takes on Rangers' Alfredo Morelos (photo: Allan Picken)  

He continued: “Obviously you’re against better technical players and more physical players every week, but our team is good enough to cope and I think I am good enough to cope.

“We’re just taking each game as it comes.”

Saints and Livi know each other well having both achieved promotion from the Championship last term and  the midfielder knows how hard a game his team will face.

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He said: ‘We played Livingston enough times in the Championship last season to know what they are all about.

"Both teams have made changes over the summer. But we know they will still be physical and direct and present us with a tough challenge.

"They will also be aware of our qualities, though, and will know we can hurt them. It’s up to us to go and get the three points.”

Magennis turns 20 on Sunday and hopes to start the celebrations 24 hours early with three points.

“It all depends on the result," he laughed when asked how he intended to celebrate.

 “If we get beat then I’m never usually happy.

“We’re back in training on Monday, so my birthday can’t be too wild.”