Given that Dundee's boss famously rated his midfield prodigy in the £10million bracket after victory at Ibrox last season, it would be safe to assume that Bonetti believes him worthy of further international recognition.

What may surprise many, though - particularly in light of Bonetti's preference for continental players - is that the Italian is not sure that a foreign coach would be best for Scotland.

Neither does he subscribe to the nightmare scenario painted by the pessimists who already have our national team banished to a lengthy exile from major tournaments, Euro 2008 hosts notwithstanding.

Bonetti, indeed, has unveiled himself as an unlikely Tartan Army foot- soldier, one who believes a ground- swell of native talent - including Rae and Dundee team-mate Jamie Langfield - can raise our profile and world ranking.

And, while confessing that close friend Dino Zoff stands out as a first-class candidate to succeed Craig Brown, the former Juventus player cautions against blindly chasing the notion that the appointment of a foreign coach will end our ills.

'It would be impossible to say whether a foreign coach would be best for Scotland,' said Bonetti. 'Maybe the SFA will try it and see. Evidently, it is working for England at the moment and perhaps it could work for Scotland. A foreign coach would certainly bring a different mentality.

'But if you are going to bring in a foreigner just for the sake of it, that would be a different story. I have seen in my time here that there are some very good Scottish coaches.'

One of those homebred coaches, Alex Smith, operates just down the road from Bonetti, with the Dundee United boss installed as bookies' favourite to lead Scotland into the Euro 2004 qualification campaign.

Contrary to the lengthy list of sceptics - one which has even included prospective candidates - Bonetti believes the new boss will be able to select from a rich base of talent.

United keeper Paul Gallacher, the young Dens Park pair, Scott Severin of Hearts and Dunfermline's Barry Nicholson all featured in the squad for the ill-fated match against Latvia earlier this month.

And Bonetti - in a week when he has added a Georgian, an Italian and the Chinese captain to his cosmopolitan squad - suggested there is a depth of Scots talent worthy of the international stage.

'In two years' time, Scotland can be an even stronger team,' he added. 'The young players are coming through and they have passion, heart and quality. I still believe there is enough quality for Scotland to do better than they have done. They were very close to the World Cup and probably next time they will make it.'

Zoff, recently relieved of his duties at Lazio, has ascended from unlikely outsider to continental stalking horse in recent weeks and Bonetti, while not daring to promote a particular candidate to the attention of David Taylor and the SFA executive committee, believes he would be an ambitious and successful appointment.

'Dino is a wonderful person,' said Bonetti. 'He has great experience and, if Scotland brought him here as coach, it would be wonderful for Scottish football.'

With Taylor having outlined criteria that states the new coach must have experience in either playing or coaching at the highest level, Zoff fits the bill on both counts.

The lack of home- grown Scots within his own club, though, should not mask Bonetti's belief that the next generation can succeed on the international scene.