FORMER Scotland ace Alan McInally hinted he would not take Che Adams in the Premier League and labelled EURO 2024 a "step too much".

The Sky Sports pundit and reporter credited the Saints striker as important in qualifying but wished Scotland had Robbie Fowler instead.

Adams, 27, endured a difficult major tournament campaign in Germany with the Tartan Army knocked out in the group stages with one point.

The out-of-contract ace started all three matches but frustrated Scotland fans as he managed just one attempt on goal.

McInally, speaking to Betfair, said: "I'm sorry, but yeah, I mean, every striker has had a finger pointed at him.

"50 years ago, 10 years ago or in modern-day football, it doesn't change. Listen, Harry Kane is getting battered because he's only scored one goal.

"Che Adams, by the way, in qualifying, was important for us. He really was important, genuinely. At the big tournament, it was just one step too much for Che Adams, unfortunately.

"I mean, as much as he tried his absolute best, and incidentally, he's going to be a Premier League player next year, people forget he's only just come out of the Championship."

McInally added: "That was the level that he was playing at. That's just a reality for Scotland. We don't have someone that I would take right now in the Premier League.

"I played golf with Robbie Fowler yesterday and I said to him, ‘If you'd played up front for us yesterday, we'd have scored."

Adams could depart Saints this week with his contract officially expiring on June 30, with offers from Saints and other clubs on the table.