Derby County attacker Johnny Russell endured a bittersweet Scotland debut.
The former Dundee United forward was given his first taste of international football when he replaced Shaun Maloney with nine minutes left of Tuesday’s match against England at Parkhead.
It took the 24-year-old only two minutes to mark his mark, providing former Tannadice team-mate Andy Robertson with the assist to help the home team reduce the score to 2-1 in England’s favour.
But Wayne Rooney’s 46th international goal just moments later ensured it would be the visitors who departed Glasgow with the bragging rights after a convincing 3-1 win.
A frustrating night after the high of Friday night’s 1-0 win against the Republic of Ireland.
But 24-year-old Glasgow-born Russell was still able to savour the experience and said: “I was delighted to get my first cap, although of course the result took a bit of the shine off it.
“It was a great 10 days with the squad and it showed me what I need to do if I’m going to stay in.
“It was a great game to make my debut in.
“Playing against England at Parkhead is the sort of thing I dreamed about when I was a youngster.
“When you take away the result, it was a great night for me. I was going to be coming as a supporter to the two games so to get the last minute call up was amazing and my aim now is to stay in the squad.
“I was delighted to play a part and get Andy a goal.
“He has been brilliant and he is a great lad.
“We had hoped it would kick us on to get something from the game as we had started to play some nice football.
“The next goal was always going to be vital but they went straight up the pitch within moments and scored which killed the game.”
Russell has also backed his Derby team-mate Chris Martin to come back stronger from his nightmare first half against England.
The 26-year-old was substituted at half time after failing to trouble the England defence.
But Russell is in no doubt Suffolk-born Martin, a former England under-19 international, can prove a useful asset for the national team.
He added: “The big man is really hard on himself, probably too hard sometimes.
“He is always like that, even when he plays a blinder. It won’t affect him. He will keep working hard and keep doing what he does best which is scoring goals.
“He was a bit down in the dressing room but that is just his character. He wants to be the best he can be.
“I stay away from him when he is like that. I share a room with him so I know he has a bit of temper.
“I see him every day at Derby and know what a quality player he is. His link-up play is fantastic, he is strong and he is so important for the way we play at Derby, so many of our goals come through him.
“He will be a top quality player for Scotland.”