Argentina one of the best sides in the world - Jonny Gray

Scotland lock Jonny Gray urged his team not to take Argentina lightly ahead of their upcoming clash at Murrayfield on Saturday.

The Pumas have shown considerable progress ever since they were admitted into the Rugby Championship in 2014.

In the 2016 Rugby Championship, Argentina went on to defeat South Africa and had New Zealand under considerable pressure in Hamilton before eventually losing the game by 35-point margin after second half struggle.

Gray, who has made 26 international appearances for Scotland believes Argentina are right among the best teams in the world.

"Are they up there with the best sides in the world now? I'd say so.

"Argentina are a great team. They can attack from anywhere. Look at the players they have got - guys like Agustin Creevy, some of their backs and their huge wingers, so they have some dangerous strike runners.

"They are always keeping the ball alive so you can never switch off.have to be switched on.

"When it comes to facing them up front, in the scrum and in the line-out it's going to be a huge challenge. Across the board we

"You just have to look at some of their recent results in the Rugby Championship to realise they are a world-class side. They beat South Africa and then pushed New Zealand all the way.

"We have to be on it from minute one to the final whistle. We need to be clever, we can't be coughing up ball to them."

On his own performances, Gray admitted that he needs to work on his game to be among the top players in the world.

The 22-year-old is in line to be part of the 2017 British and Irish Lions squad for the tour of New Zealand in June and his recent performance against Australia last weekend where he made 24 tackles will only strengthen his chances. However, he admitted that numbers doesn't interest him.

"I don't look at numbers. As a defence we all work for each other. Whoever is there makes the tackle and whoever misses the tackle is there to help clean up.

"We play for each other, we play with a lot of heart, so it's a team effort, always.

"I'm just lucky I've got the coaches at Glasgow and Scotland who will sit down with me and show me where I can improve my game.

"It's really special getting to play for your country and to come up against some of the best second-rows in the world like we did at the weekend against Australia.

"It's a great opportunity to test yourself against these guys. I think I've got a lot to improve on and a long way to go before I'm at that level.

"But I'm lucky I've got players around me pushing me on. W e're always pushing each other here."