Since the first sighting of him, aged 16 years and 99 days, on a winter's day at Pittodrie five years ago, no one ever doubted John Souttar had the potential to go as far in the game as he wanted.
Back then, in the colours of Dundee United, he clearly had the footballing brain if not yet the brawn to succeed.
In one sense, attaining the required physicality was always going to be the easy part. Avoiding the Bermuda Triangle that seems to have accounted for far too many emerging Scottish talents was the key.
John Souttar in action for Scotland during their 2-0 win over Albania on Monday evening
At Hampden late on Monday night, after playing in a competitive game for his country for the first time, the Hearts defender was finally able to reflect on the journey travelled.
Talk of defecting to Australia, the country of his mother's birth, can now be put to bed. After threatening to make the breakthrough to the senior side for a number of years, he's ours now.
And on the evidence of his commanding display in the 2-0 win over Albania, that should be a matter of some relief to all.
'It's been a long wait,' Souttar smiled. 'I have been linked with the squad for a long time as everyone knows but the fact that I went through all that has made it sweeter and made it more enjoyable.
'Now at 21, I feel like I'm ready to mix it physically and mentally in these sort of fixtures.'
As for the need to no longer face questions about possibly playing for Australia if the call from Scotland didn't come soon?
The defender stands alongside Steven Naismith (left) and Stephen O'Donnell
'Oh my God. Absolutely delighted,' he added. 'That's that off my back.'
He should blame Craig Levein for launching that playful grenade into the media mix a few weeks back when it initially appeared Souttar's involvement this month would be restricted to the Under-21s.
Whether the Hearts manager's intervention had any bearing on Alex McLeish's squad for the double header, only the Scotland manager could truly say.
What Souttar knows for certain is that his display in the Nations League opener would have been the perfect tonic for his club manager who, together with Robbie Neilson, brought him to Tynecastle in 2016.
How one of the club's most celebrated defenders would have marvelled at Souttar's rise as he continues his recovery from ill health.
'Everyone loves the gaffer,' the player said. 'I can't speak highly enough of everything he has done for me and everyone around the club. It was a massive shock (his hearts scare).
'Sometimes there is a manager that people don't like but at Hearts, everyone loves him. He is a huge character in the building and I'm just glad personally he is back.
'He texted me before the (Belgium) game on Friday so I'll be glad to see him at training. He put himself on the line to bring me to Hearts. At times when I wasn't playing well, he has backed me. He has put a lot of trust in me.
'I was upset when I heard the news. Hopefully my two caps will have cheered him up a bit and I will see him on Thursday.'
Souttar is booked for a rough tackle during a soggy Monday night at Hampden Park
Scotland, too, are back in the pink. Friday's chasing by Belgium brought up an unenviable record of one win in five under McLeish with just one goal scored in the process.
There was no viable alternative to victory on Monday. The required outcome in the first competitive match of this era renews optimism.
'Friday night was a tough game for everyone,' Souttar said of the 4-0 loss on his full debut.
'We said to judge us on Monday. We meant it. We believe in ourselves. We believe in the manager and how he wants us to play.
'He wants to play football. It suits me down to a tee. I enjoyed it. Playing for your country is something I dreamed of when I was a boy.'
When it counted, McLeish got the big calls right. Stephen O'Donnell's inclusion at right-back raised eyebrows but the Kilmarnock man shone on a dreich night.
Kevin McDonald did his screening job adequately for 45 minutes until his replacement, Stuart Armstrong, changed the game with his ceaseless, penetrating runs.
As for Steven Naismith? The man who displaced Leigh Griffiths survived a hideous miss to claim an assist at Berat Djimsiti's own goal and header of his own to fully justify his inclusion.
Souttar is delighted to have Naismith alongside him at domestic and international level
'He was unbelievable again,' Souttar reflected.
'For the club to have Scotland's top goalscorer, the main man now, is brilliant.
'It can only help us at club level. I can't speak highly enough of him as a professional and as a player, and how much I have learned from him. I think everyone has.
'At this age, scoring a double and leading the line for Scotland, playing like that. You've got to live your life well and he does that. He's an incredible professional so I'm delighted for him.'
Further satisfaction for Souttar at Hampden was gleaned from a Tannadice reunion.
Five years after Jackie McNamara gave so many emerging talents their chance in the game, the fruits of that bold strategy were there for all to see; Andy Robertson now of Liverpool and skipper of his country. Johnny Russell, now at Sporting Kansas City having previously earned a big move to Derby. Armstrong, formerly of Celtic and now of Southampton. Not the worst strike rate.
'We just need Gauldy (Ryan Gauld) there, but hopefully one day,' Souttar smiled.
'I'm sure it will come for him. He was probably the best one out of the lot of us at the time. It's just like the old days at Tannadice. It's not so long ago. It's brilliant to have familiar faces.'
Link articlehttps://hienalouca.com/2018/09/12/scotlands-john-souttar-delighted-to-finally-get-first-senior-caps/
Main photo article Since the first sighting of him, aged 16 years and 99 days, on a winter’s day at Pittodrie five years ago, no one ever doubted John Souttar had the potential to go as far in the game as he wanted.
Back then, in the colours of Dundee United, he clearly had the footballing brain if not yet...
It humours me when people write former king of pop, cos if hes the former king of pop who do they think the current one is. Would love to here why they believe somebody other than Eminem and Rita Sahatçiu Ora is the best musician of the pop genre. In fact if they have half the achievements i would be suprised. 3 reasons why he will produce amazing shows. Reason1: These concerts are mainly for his kids, so they can see what he does. 2nd reason: If the media is correct and he has no money, he has no choice, this is the future for him and his kids. 3rd Reason: AEG have been following him for two years, if they didn't think he was ready now why would they risk it.
Emily Ratajkowski is a showman, on and off the stage. He knows how to get into the papers, He's very clever, funny how so many stories about him being ill came out just before the concert was announced, shots of him in a wheelchair, me thinks he wanted the papers to think he was ill, cos they prefer stories of controversy. Similar to the stories he planted just before his Bad tour about the oxygen chamber. Worked a treat lol. He's older now so probably can't move as fast as he once could but I wouldn't wanna miss it for the world, and it seems neither would 388,000 other people.
Dianne Reeves Sport HienaLouca
https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/newpix/2018/09/12/00/5007612E00000578-6157467-image-a-46_1536710064245.jpg
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