Ross County goalkeeper Ross Munro says his late call up to the Scotland under-21s squad came as an unexpected surprise.
Munro received his first call up for Scot Gemmill’s squad for the European Championship qualifying double header against Ukraine and England, as a replacement for injured Hamilton Accies goalkeeper Ryan Fulton.
The 18-year-old has previously been sounded out for the Scots’ under-19s squad but has yet to be included, making Munro all the more pleasantly surprised when he learned of his call up to Scot Gemmill’s squad on the way back from the Staggies’ 2-0 victory over Partick Thistle on Saturday.
Munro said: “It came out of the blue when I was travelling up the road from the Partick Thistle game on Saturday. The managers pulled me aside and said I’d been called up.
“It was all go from there, I had to pack my cases and get ready for Ukraine.
“I’m really looking forward to that, it’s going to be a really good experience for me to see what it’s like to go away with the national team and meet new boys.
“I thought I could try and push into the under-19s squad, but when they said under-21s I had to ask if they were sure.
“That was a wee shock to me. I’m just really happy they have come and asked me.”
Munro has been handed the task of challenging Staggies number one Scott Fox this season, and has played in IRN-BRU Cup matches against Hearts colts and Raith Rovers.
Munro, who grew up in Nairn, says senior game time has helped his case, adding: “Having played a couple of games in the first team has maybe helped to put my name out there a bit.
“That’s good for me, the more games you play the more you are recognised.”
Munro’s call-up marked a week to remember, with the teenager helping the Staggies to secure the North of Scotland Cup with a 3-2 Highland derby final victory over Caley Thistle at Grant Street Park.
The teenager added: “It was a very good game to play in, bar the weather which kind of ruined it.
“I was really looking forward to this game. I really wanted the boys to win this one given the rivalry between the two clubs.
“To beat them in a cup final is brilliant for the lads.
“Richard Brittain says it all the time – some players go through their entire career without having silverware.
“A career is based on the amount of silverware you can look back on, so it’s good for the lads.”