Pressley tips Graham for successful Scotland career

Dundee head coach Steven Pressley has backed Luke Graham to "be a Scotland regular for many many years to come" after the former 'Dees defender was called into the senior national squad. The 22-year-old left Dens Park to join Stoke City during the summer. Established as a regular starter in the English Championship, Graham has been included in Sebastien Pocognoli's first squad as Scotland head coach. "I messaged him when I heard the news," said Pressley. "As a football club and as a staff we couldn't be prouder. He is such a terrific lad. "He has gone down there and made a real impact and he deserves this opportunity. He is a player I believe can be a Scotland regular for many many years to come." Graham was a product of the Dundee youth academy. He had loan spells at Lochee United, Albion Rovers, Montrose and Falkirk before establishing himself in the Dark Blues first team. "I love his journey," added Pressley. "I think his journey tells you everything about him as a person. "He was happy to go to the juniors, he was happy to play in League Two, he was happy to play in League One, play in the Championship. He was happy to do the hard yards, what is required to become a real football player. "As a result of all that hard work, that adversity and those difficult times, you see the progression in him and as a club, Scott Robertson (Dundee head of football development) and his staff have done an amazing job bringing him through. "Although I am exceptionally proud to see him progress to the full national squad, there are a lot of people who have played big parts in his development, but nobody more so than himself." Pressley also believes Graham's rise to the international scene can help make Dens Park more attractive to young talent. "As a club it is hard for us sometimes to attract the right players," he said. "But we have to sell the story of 'you can come here and we can give you the platform that allows you to get that to that next stage'. "So it makes the selling of our story a little bit easier."