PASSIONATE Scot Graeme Souness knows better than anyone that his homeland has little to cheer about these days.

The Blackburn Rovers boss was one of the Tartan Army's most potent weapons during a distinguished international career that spanned three World Cups finals.

But those were the days when Dalglish, Hansen and Souness himself provided the Scots with an unbreakable backbone built from Liverpool's soaring success of the late 1970s and early 1980s.

Now, the new regime under Berti Vogts is reeling from its third consecutive failure to qualify for a major championships, while the humiliation continued this week when they suffered their heaviest ever defeat to Wales.

But through the gloom of Wednesday night's 4-0 hammering, Souness saw a brief (20 minutes to be precise) flicker of light in the shape of a youngster he has groomed into one of the Premiership's most exciting new talents.

Paul Gallagher made his full international bow in Cardiff after less than 20 first team appearances for his club and having never even previously starting an Under 21s game.

And while Souness is proud of the way the 19-year-old has accelerated into the international arena it does bring home how distant those days, when hardened and experienced campaigners bossed the Scottish show, really are.

Souness said: "I don't think Paul's first Scotland appearance is one he'll want to remember.

"It was a poor performance and a very poor result for Scotland.

"But there are two reasons why he has been picked so young. Yes, the quality Scotland have right now isn't great but I think the fact that he has done so well for us has as much to do with it.

"Now he is a full international and that can't be taken away from him. It shows what a long way he has come in such a short space of time." With 31-year-old Paul Dickov leading the line on Wednesday it's likely Vogts could be pinning hopes on Gallagher for next season's World Cup qualifying campaign and certainly beyond.

The sprightly striker has already proven his quality against the best in the Premiership with a game-changing substitute appearance at Old Trafford and a sublime goal in the 3-2 defeat to Chelsea.

And Souness has to concede that Scotland have little choice but to turn to players with so little senior experience.

"In my time Paul wouldn't have got anywhere near the Scotland side, simply because of his lack of experience," added Souness.

"He's not played many games but Scotland don't have that much to pick from and that's the problem Berti Vogts has got. It's very difficult for him."