“Lewis is so solid. His one-v-one defending is outstanding,” Vassell tells the Daily Record. “When we played at Parkhead recently, he got Palma subbed at half-time! He was that good. He absolutely shut him down.” Mayo has 11 caps for Scotland at under-21 level. Vassell, meanwhile, feels it is high-time a player who left Ibrox permanently last summer is rewarded with a first ever senior call-up. “His one-v-one defending is sensational,” the well-travelled forward argues. “He can play with both feet as well, and is a great lad. Mayo, who never made a single first-team appearance for Rangers, will have to be patent as he looks to secure a place in Steve Clarke’s plans. The former Kilmarnock coach did not follow Vassell’s advice when picking his squad for this month’s friendlies with the Netherlands and Northern Ireland, Rangers-own John Souttar one of a number of defenders keeping Mayo out of the senior international set-up ahead of this summer’s European Championships on German soil. “There’s always opportunity (for new players to force their way in),” Clarke tells The Herald, explaining his decision to stick with his long-term favourites while leaving out the likes of Mayo and Bristol City striker Tommy Conway. “You talk about the core squad, they haven’t let anybody down. They have done really well for their country and they deserve the chance to go to the Euros.” Mayo still has a few months left to make an impression, however. His versatility – proving himself as a more than capable right-back as well as a central defender – would stand the former Rangers man in very good stead should Clarke suffer any untimely injuries in the build-up to Euro 2024’s kick-off.
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