Dundee United have started the season brilliantly and find themselves in the mix for European spots.
The Tangerines just returned from the Championship for this season but sit fourth heading into the latest international break.
Jim Goodwin’s side hit a slight wobble recently with back-to-back defeats to Aberdeen and Motherwell, followed up by drawing with Hibs to make it three without a win.
But the recovered with a resounding win over a hitherto stuffy Ross County at the weekend.
That kept them above the Steelmen but Stuart Kettlewell’s side do have a game in hand.
Dundee United star Will Ferry tipped for Republic of Ireland
United recruited from far and wide in the summer and a number of their new men have been key players in their march to the upper reaches of the table.
From Eastern Europe, the likes of Kristijan Trapanovski and David Babunski have settled into Scottish football well.
But it is a signing from the lower leagues in England that has really caught the eye of Neil McCann.
So much so that the former Scotland winger reckons he might not be far off earning international honours.
| Position | Team | Played MP | Won W | Drawn D | Lost L | For GF | Against GA | Diff GD | Points Pts |
| 1 |  CelticCeltic | 11 | 10 | 1 | 0 | 31 | 3 | 28 | 31 |
| 2 |  AberdeenAberdeen | 11 | 10 | 1 | 0 | 24 | 10 | 14 | 31 |
| 3 |  RangersRangers | 11 | 7 | 1 | 3 | 16 | 8 | 8 | 22 |
| 4 |  Dundee UtdDundee Utd | 12 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 18 | 13 | 5 | 19 |
| 5 |  MotherwellMotherwell | 11 | 6 | 1 | 4 | 15 | 14 | 1 | 19 |
| 6 |  ST MirrenST Mirren | 13 | 4 | 3 | 6 | 17 | 22 | -5 | 15 |
McCann told BBC Sportscene: I’ve actually been impressed with Will Ferry all season. Jim Goodwin has made some brilliant acquisitions into this side – Trapanovski, Babunski, Will Ferry, Stephenson to name a few.
“I think Will Ferry lights games up. He has got so much power. He’s backtracking, willing to defend.
“But getting into wide areas – if you’re playing with two strikers you need somebody who can cross a ball, you need quality.
“His willingness to go forward…and then you’re looking for a bit of quality. Fantastic delivery.
“He really has been a brilliant signing. He can play in a back four, I think wing-back really suits his attributes in terms of his engine to get forward. It gives him a bit more area to get into.
“The Republic of Ireland squad has just come out. He hasn’t made it but if he keeps on performing like that, and Dundee United keep performing in the league, who’s to say he won’t get an international call-up?
“I’m that impressed with him.”
Ferry Ireland calls grow
It is not the first time Ferry has been mentioned for Ireland. In fact, his own manager tipped him before.
Goodwin, who was capped once for the same nation, reckons he has given himself a right chance by coming to the Premiership and performing so well.
He also claimed his left wing-back was in the top three in the league for that position.
He said: “I hope so. Ireland are in a transitional period with the new manager, and we spoke to Will about that. We highlighted that in the summer.
“He has a far better chance of breaking into that full international team playing in Scotland opposed to playing League One football in England.
“He recognised that and I’m sure it would be a very proud moment if the opportunity does arise.
“I have good contacts within the FAI (Football Association of Ireland) – people who are working close to the senior team. I am constantly updating them and keeping them in the loop.
“They are aware of the good progress these boys (Emmanuel Adegboyega and Ferry) are making.”