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DEREK McInnes last night extended Ash Taylor’s stay at Aberdeen until 2017 – then swore the defender is good enough for Scotland.

The 24-year-old former Tranmere stopper has played a huge part in the Dons ’ run of eight straight wins without conceding a goal and national boss Gordon Strachan’s ears may have pricked up when the player revealed he is eligible for Scotland because of his grandparents.

Taylor had played almost 200 games for the Merseyside club when McInnes invited him last summer to be part of his Reds revolution and, despite a sticky start when he gifted Dundee United an opening-day goal, he is now a favourite with the Pittodrie fans.

And McInnes admits it was touch and go whether he would convince the towering centre-back his future lay north of the border as he plans to continue building his side round him in their fight to remain at the top of the league table.

The manager said: “It’s brilliant news Ash has decided to stay. Although we’ve signed a lot of players, such as Jonny Hayes, Niall McGinn, Andrew Considine and Adam Rooney on extended contracts, we shouldn’t get too blase about it.

“Ash has been a very good signing and we were always confident he would prove what he has shown.

“In the past two months he has been as good as anything out there and he is going to get better.

“For at least the next two years he’s going to do that in an Aberdeen shirt. He is someone we can build the team around.

“I spoke with him in summer and we weren’t entirely sure we’d manage to get him here.

“There were others interested but we sold him the club and he knew he’d have to fight his way into an established side.”

McInnes reckons Taylor’s form will make Strachan take notice.

He said: “That’s not my decision but who knows? I’m sure the Scotland manager is well aware of a few players potentially at my club.

“There are ones who could come in and do well but right now he has an established squad doing well.

“He has been very loyal but there are a few maybe making him think and Ash might be one of them.

“I’m always reluctant to say too much on that as it’s not my call and I wouldn’t want anyone telling me how to manage my team but Ash is only going to get better.”