Josh McPake has revealed that his Edinburgh derby goal in front of the Hearts fans at Easter Road is the highlight of his career so far. But he could well top that this weekend if he gets the nod for Scotland.
The winger was included in Sebastien Pocognoli's first squad for the Nations League matches against Slovenia, Switzerland and North Macedonia. He has been tipped as a potential starter in Ljubljana on Saturday.
Pocognoli watching as McPake shines
Pocognoli was in the stands to see compatriot Wouter Vrancken's team dismantle their city rivals on enemy territory earlier this month. A wonderful individual goal from McPake to make it 3-1 no doubt sealed the deal.
For the former Rangers kid, who had to drop down to League Two with Stirling Albion and start again after leaving Ibrox, it's a moment that could be hard to top.
"I was really looking forward to it," he said. "To start the game was brilliant. It was one of the games I really, really wanted to play in."
"I said it after the game but I really wanted to score as well. So I was glad I got my goal as well."
"It was an unbelievable night, the atmosphere was brilliant and I enjoyed it."
Goal and atmosphere
McPake described the build-up to his goal, saying: "The first goal, I just wanted to get at the full back as quick as I can, just like any game."
"I managed to skip by him and James is just in the right spot at the right time. He's done that for quite a few goals this season."
"My goal, I didn't really think much to be fair! Once I took the touch inside it just kind of opened up a wee bit."
"I took that extra touch to the left, was one-on-one with the centre half and I would back myself one-on-one against most people."
"I managed to put it by him and slip it in. It was unbelievable."
"After that it was just mental. Just running about mental."
"It was probably the highlight of my career. I came through a lot of ups and downs so to go out to Easter Road and score - I kept saying to myself before the game 'you need to score' - for that to happen was unbelievable."
"I feel like it was all the hard work building up to that point that got me there."
"I've watched it back just a few times...just a few hundred!"
Fan anthem and call-up
The South Stand at Easter Road was party central as 3,500 Jambos belted out McPake's personal anthem to the tune of ABBA's Dancing Queen, which has followed him to Gorgie from Perth.
"I wasn't sure if the song would make it over here!" he told Hearts TV. "But I'm glad it did."
"The scenes after the game with the fans and that togetherness with the group as well was absolutely amazing."
McPake was tipped for a call up before his phone actually rang with Pocognoli's number flashing up. But he insists he simply didn't have time to think about his chances of pulling on the dark blue.
"I didn't think about it," said McPake. "I know that's a cliche but I never thought about it."
"Just because the games here are coming so thick and fast you've not even got time to think about stuff like that."
"I knew if I was doing well for Hearts then maybe an opportunity would open up."
"But there's loads of good players that have missed out as well and there's good players in it, so I'm happy I got that call."
"I got the text asking if I was free for a call at any moment and I said yeah, just phone me whenever, I'll be free."
"I got the call in my house and it was the manager. I had a really good chat with him and he informed me that I'd be involved in the squad, which I was obviously absolutely buzzing about."
"I think he could tell by my face because he was laughing a wee bit. I couldn't hide the excitement."
"Then we had a really good chat on the phone and as soon as that finished, I phoned my family."
