Dundee’s Scott Bain admits his recent experience with the Scotland squad was a “real eye-opener” for him and made him realise just how hard he still has to work to become a player of full international quality.
The 24-year-old keeper was on the bench for the national side’s two recent friendlies against the Czech Republic and Denmark.
Bain, who was playing part-time football with Alloa just two seasons ago, didn’t get on in either game but he still insists the whole experience was an invaluable one.
The goalie said: “It was great. It was good to go and see the standard and how high it was.
“I saw what you need to be a top player.
“During the two games, you could see the standard with some of the saves produced by both Allan McGregor and Craig Gordon.
“It was really good.
“Just training with them day to day was tremendous and it was a real eye-opener when it came to the outfield players as well.
“It showed how far away international football is from playing in the Premiership every week.”
He added: “I wasn’t promised any game-time. I didn’t get told anything.
“I just went there to try to show what I could do in training and that I deserved to be in the squad.
“It’s not a disappointment not to have played.
“I’m just delighted to have had the opportunity to go away and see how things work when you are there.
“It’s definitely given me a boost for the rest of the season to try to be at that level, and it’s consistency and ability which gets you in there all the time.”
With Dundee playing Celtic at Dens tonight, Bain will have a chance to show what he learned while away with the Scotland squad.
He added: “I think these are the kind of games you have to play well in obviously.
“But I think it’s just about trying to play well every week.
“I know against Celtic you get a lot more to do and there are a lot more eyes on the game.
“In general, though, it’s just about trying to do the business week in, week out.”
Bain will return to the team after serving a one-match ban following his dismissal for bringing down Billy Mckay during the derby with United at Tannadice just over two weeks ago.
The club appealed against his suspension but it was rejected by the SFA with Bain adding: “It was disappointing to lose my appeal.
“I watched it back myself and I don’t think it was a red card.
“I think it was a yellow card all day.
“Listen, I knew it was going to be difficult when you’re appealing.
“They don’t want to come across as saying that referees have made a mistake.
“But for me, I had a defender covering and the striker is not getting the ball and he’s taken a big touch.
“Fair play to him, it’s a penalty all day but I don’t think it’s a red.
“Some of the Scotland boys were asking me about it.
“It wasn’t the best to go from that game right down to Scotland.
“But once I got down to training, it was all forgotten about. That’s football for you.”
While disappointed to be banned for Saturday’s Ross County game, it gave Bain the opportunity to sit back and watch Dundee win 5-2 and he had praise for one team-mate in particular.
Bain added: “I thought we were great.
“Greg Stewart was outstanding, the best player on the park.
“He controlled the game by putting his foot on the ball and really took the game to Ross County.
“He was the big difference.”