Dundee United defender Andy Robertson feels fortunate to have a Scotland game to help ease his Celtic Park pain just a little bit.
Robertson has teamed up with Gordon Strachan’s squad at their London base ahead of Wednesday night’s friendly against Nigeria at Fulham’s Craven Cottage ground.
The flying full-back conceded that it could be next season before the hurt at losing the William Hill Scottish Cup final to St Johnstone begins to fade.
However, he stressed that playing for his country will make things just a wee bit better following that crushing defeat for his club.
He said: “I don’t think the disappointment of the cup final will go away until maybe next season when we are all together. At least I’m lucky enough to have the chance to get back on the park for Scotland.
“Paul Paton is away with Northern Ireland and he’ll be looking forward to that and there are a few lads away with the Scotland under-19s and 21s.
“We are the fortunate ones. Some people are finished for the season so they will just continue with the disappointment until next season.
“For me, being away with Scotland will help, especially if we get a positive result, but I think the disappointment will still be there.
“It is tough to reflect on the final because I don’t think anyone has any complaints St Johnstone were the better team.”
Scotland duty will keep Robertson’s mind occupied for a few days at least and, after making his debut in Poland in March, he is looking for more game time against the Nigerians in London.
“I suppose the only way I can make the season end on a high is by hopefully getting a good result on Wednesday,” he said.
“I don’t know much about Nigeria but am looking forward to seeing what kind of team they are. My mum and dad and brother are coming to the game so hopefully I can get on so they can see me.
“They went over to Poland and when I got on as a sub it was a proud moment for me and them.”
It is still early days for Robertson in terms of his international career so perhaps it is not a surprise that he is still a little bit starstruck.
He admitted: “You still look up to all these players and after just being with them the one time you can’t just be comfortable straight away.
“They are a great bunch of lads and they made me really welcome.
“Maybe you’re a wee bit more comfortable because you can talk to them and you actually know their faces and not just their names this time.
“It will be a wee bit easier, I think, but I still look up to them.”
Scotland’s first European Championship qualifier against Germany in Borussia Dortmund’s Westfalenstadion is just over three months away and this meeting with Nigeria will give Strachan the perfect chance to look again at Robertson.
The United defender is well aware that the big one on September 7 isn’t too far away, saying: “We’ve been on a good run of form and hopefully we can continue that on Wednesday.
“If you impress in training or the game then you would hope that you would be in with a chance of being in the squad for Germany. That’s the plan.”