 Russell represented Scotland at under-19 and under-21 level.He was first named in the Scotland squad in 2012, and made his full international debut in November 2014.Russell, who had featured just five times for Dundee United's under-19 side in 2006–07, made his professional debut in the Scottish Premier League on 12 May 2007 in the 2–0 defeat at Falkirk, coming on as an 80th-minute substitute for Steven Robb.