Rangers defender Lee Wallace is confident he can bridge the gap between the third tier of Scottish football and international level if called upon to feature for Scotland against Croatia at Hampden on Tuesday.
The 26-year-old came on for the final 11 minutes as Scotland recorded a morale-boosting win in Macedonia last month and is in the squad for next week. Making his Scotland comeback under Gordon Strachan gave the former Hearts player a huge lift after being left out by Craig Levein.
Wallace has nothing but praise for Strachan and has no doubt he can raise his game for the national team.
He said: “I was happy to be called in as back-up the last time and thrilled at the fact I got a wee bit of game time. I should have scored in that match. It gave me a bit of a lift. Regardless of where I am playing my club football, it is still an ambition of mine to play against world-class players. We will see what happens come Tuesday, but it would be great to be involved.
“There has been a lot of talk about the previous manager leaving me out, that he felt I was not able to make the step up. The new manager has come in and said if you are doing well at that particular time for your club then you are always in with a chance. It gave me a fighting chance. I have always tried to do as best I could at Rangers.
“I want to play a part in taking them back up and showing the loyalty to the club and to the supporters. There is the obvious step up in quality to Croatia from last week against, with all due respect, Ayr United.
“I feel I am more than ready to give it my best shot if I am given the chance.”
Wallace added: “I feel I am an improved player from the last time I started an international game back then against Liechtenstein in September 2010.
“There is that extra burden of keeping high standards at Rangers and I felt that is what made me mature as a man and a player. I feel more confident in myself. I feel I have matured and that has given me the confidence and belief that I can come into international football knowing if I give it my best I will be happy.
“The new manager has come in and done very well, it has been brilliant working with him.
“The Croatia game was a great win over there and the performance against England gave us great hope, even if the result was not what we were after.
“The Macedonia win was another positive. If we can get the three points again on Tuesday that will give us massive belief, not just the squad but the entire nation. It has been brilliant working with the manager.
“This is the third squad I have been involved in and they have been excellent.
“There is certainly a great level of respect from the players towards him.
“The manager, Mark McGhee and Stuart McCall work well together. They are a great team.
“You certainly know what your job is when you go into a game.
“You know how the opposition play – all their strengths and weaknesses.
“You also know how to play to your own strengths, which is great.
“The manager is making good strides and we are all looking forward to trying to qualify for a major tournament.”