Andy Considine can solve Scotland’s defensive crisis, insists Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes.

Considine’s Dons team-mate Scott McKenna’s season is all but over after he was ruled out for three to four months with a hamstring tear with the defender joining Hearts defender John Souttar on the injury list after the Jambos centre-back ruptured his Achilles against Rangers on Saturday.

Aberdeen’s loss has led to McInnes stepping up his efforts to bring in Tommie Hoban, while the loss of the duo leaves national team boss Steve Clarke with a defensive dilemma for the Uefa Nations League semi-final against Israel on March 26.

McInnes believes Considine can fill the void in the country’s time of need.

The Dons boss, speaking ahead of tonight’s Premiership match at Kilmarnock, said: “Mikey Devlin is already involved with the squad but big Andy is the obvious one.

“I spoke to Steve about him before and I mentioned him again yesterday when I spoke to him to tell him about Scott’s situation.

“Andy is playing the best football of his career for me but I get the luxury of working with him every day so I know his qualities.

“Steve is aware of that but he has others to consider as well and he’s not just going to listen to a manager pushing his players.

“That’s what we do but I genuinely believe that Andy could go in and play for Scotland absolutely no problem.

“I would say the last couple of seasons his level of performance has been really good and you get more appreciated the older you get sometimes.

“I get that Steve might be looking at younger players for the future but because we all know how good he is there’s no doubt he can deal with top players.

“He’s played in cup finals and European football for this club and done really well.

“I know that it would mean everything to him if he got involved in the Scotland squad and he is possibly as close to it as he has ever been.”

The Dons resume league duty in fourth place, one point behind Motherwell in the race to qualify for the Europa League.

Craig Bryson will not feature at Kilmarnock due to the artificial pitch while Dean Campbell is suspended for the game at Rugby Park.