Dundee United winger Gary Mackay-Steven has vowed to play his way back into the Scotland squad following his shock exclusion by national coach Gordon Strachan.
Mackay-Steven brushed off the disappointment of being left out of the 27-man pool for next month’s World Cup qualifying matches against Belgium and Macedonia by scoring a fine goal for the Tangerines in their 4-0 defeat of St Johnstone on Saturday.
Having sat on the bench at Wembley just the other week and been involved in squads leading up to the England glamour game, eyebrows were raised when Mackay-Steven’s name was missing from Strachan’s list on Friday.
However, the player is determined to react in a positive way to being overlooked by his country.
Asked if it was on his mind going into the Saints match, he replied: “Not really, no. The manager (Strachan) phoned our manager and he let me know before it was announced.
“I was just proud to be in it (the Scotland squad) in the first place. When you see the standard of the squad that was announced (for Belgium and Macedonia) that shows you I was involved at a really high level.
“My experience with Scotland has given me an added incentive and motivation to do well for Dundee United every time I play for my club.
“Every player wants to represent their country and I just have to be patient.”
As if dealing with the Scotland setback wasn’t enough for Mackay-Steven, he has also been persistently linked with a move to England.
Blackburn Rovers had a representative in the Tannadice stand and he will have taken note of a fine display that was capped by a well-taken third goal.
Once again, though, the former Liverpool youth player is determined to rise above it all.
“During the last few transfer windows there has been speculation but I really don’t think too much about that,” said Mackay-Steven.
“I don’t let it bother me. I am a United player and really hope to do as well as I can for them. To be honest, it doesn’t get to me.
“You hear stuff but most of it you take with a pinch of salt.
“All the outside stuff, people tell you not to let it affect you and I don’t. I just concentrate on United.”