Luke Graham has revealed that being part of Scotland's World Cup send-off has made him even more determined to win his first cap for his country.
The 22-year-old is among a group of new players called into Sebastien Pocognoli's first Scotland squad, which has a fresh and youthful look for the upcoming Nations League games, starting against Slovenia on Saturday.
The under-21 cap previously trained with the national team ahead of the World Cup finals and earned a place on the bench for the Hampden farewell against Curacao.
World Cup experience
Graham admitted: "It was pretty amazing being involved with the squad and training ahead of the World Cup. It was a brilliant experience to be training with so many top players and then to be on the bench for the Curacao game was amazing as well. I really wanted to get on, but at the same time I understood boys going to the World Cup needed to play, so I knew I just had to bide my time."
"I came away from the camp desperate to play for my country. I knew I had to play well for my club. I have done that and I have been lucky enough to get this call-up. This time I want to play and I will be doing everything I can to impress the manager and win that first cap."
Steve Clarke assured Graham that his Scotland chance would come at the end of last season. Graham recalled: "He (Clarke) just said boys that are going need minutes and obviously they had a few centre-backs going. He just said you've made a good account of yourself really, so just keep going and then your chance will come."
Call-up from Pocognoli
Pocognoli has ensured that predecessor was true to his word. Graham explained: "I just got a phone call on Sunday afternoon from the manager just to say I was in. He texted me beforehand to ask if I was free, so luckily I had the number saved already. The manager called to say congratulations on my call-up."
"He said I'm a young player, so I've still got a lot to learn. But at this stage in time, I'm in a good place at this stage of my career. It was pretty surreal to be honest. I don't really know how he put it into words, it was just amazing, just something that I've always wanted to do, so when I saw his message come through I was buzzing. I've smiled more in the two days after it than I have in the last five years."
Graham was part of the Scotland squad that trained in La Manga before they get set for Slovenia. The defender explained: "Like you said, it's not exactly going into the unknown. I had that wee taste last season. All the boys will want to show what they can do and it will be a really good competitive camp."
Four games ahead
"I know a few of the younger lads from playing in the 21s. I also know Jon (McCracken) from Dundee this season, so I still know quite a few of them. It's just about trying to hit the ground running as soon as possible and impress the manager. I want to try and get that first cap as quickly as possible."
Scotland have four games over the coming weeks. Home and away to Slovenia, home to Switzerland and away to North Macedonia. Graham wants to help Pocognoli make an instant impact in his new position.
He explained: "There are four games in this window. There could be a lot of opportunity there for the boys. The manager has called up a bigger squad. It will also allow him to get a look at a lot of players for the first time. There will be places up for grabs and everyone will want to be involved."
Rise to Stoke City
Graham has to pinch himself with his rise over recent months. He won a £2 million move to Stoke City over the summer and has just gone from strength to strength.
He claimed: "It's been amazing, to be fair. I don't think it could have gone any better. The players have been so welcoming, the staff have been amazing, and obviously the facilities are unbelievable really. It's been a bit of a dream come true so far really."
Graham admitted the biggest adaptation from his move to the Potteries has been the physical demands of the Championship. He added: "I think just the physicality and the intensity really. I just think every striker you come up against, the next one's bigger than the last, so it's just like kind of getting used to that. But I think I've held my own well. I am just trying to keep myself in the team and playing games and playing well."
Graham also knows he owes a big thank you to Steven Pressley and Dundee. Without them, he wouldn't be in this position. The former Albion Rovers loanee stated: "When the squad got announced, he (Pressley) gave me a text, so that was really nice of him. He's amazing. He's absolutely class. He is a really calm and composed coach. That was something that we needed as a squad last year. He gave us belief and he has been massive for me, personally."
