Ewan Wilson’s rapid rise from Scottish football’s sixth tier to international recognition is a “brilliant story” that highlights the “different pathways” players can take in successful careers, says manager Stuart Kettlewell.

The 19-year-old left-back was rewarded for his first-team breakthrough at club level with a late call-up to the Scotland Under-21s last week.

Wilson went on to make his debut off the bench against Spain before starting against Malta and creating the opening goal in a 5-0 qualifying win.

Last season, the defender’s loan to lower-league Stirling Albion was terminated in March after only six starts and he finished the season with Beith Juniors in the sixth tier.

“It’s just a brilliant story,” said Kettlewell, whose Motherwell side travel to face Aberdeen on Saturday.

“Getting sent back from a loan with Stirling, going to Beith Juniors… then ultimately winding up starting a game for Scotland Under-21s and performing the way he did.

“There are different pathways. We had to build his confidence back up. That’s exactly what we managed to do with Ewan and credit to the guys at Beith, they handled him really, really well.

“All of that’s culminated in where he finds himself at this minute. A lot of that is confidence and just a better education, how you prepare as a pro to play in a game of football or even to train day to day.”