Charlie Trafford hopes his move to Hamilton Accies can rekindle his international ambitions.
His last appearance for the Canada national team came in a 1-1 draw with Scotland in Edinburgh three years ago and he is yet to add to his three international caps.
He will fulfil one of his big ambitions once Scottish football resumes of playing in the Premiership, however he hopes featuring regularly for Accies can reignite his chances of earning an international recall.
Trafford said: “That’s one of my big motivators. I’d love to get the chance to play for my country again. It’s three years exactly (since I last played) – it’s ann external thing and I can’t really control it but being in the Premiership does put me in the shop window.
“I just need to keep my head down and do everything I can for Hamilton. Hopefully with that, we can be successful as a club and if I can get lots of minutes, it does put me close to being selected.
“There’s Scott Arfield and David Wotherspoon (in the Premiership), who’s been with the national team as well. If I can go and hold my own and perform there, you hope you get the chance back at the next step as well.”
Accies boss Brian Rice had worked with Trafford at Inverness and had been a big influence in getting him to New Douglas Park.
He added: “I’ve worked with him before and know how good he is. I know how dedicated and obsessed with football he is, so he’s definitely a massive selling point.
“But it’s going to the Premiership and a chance for me to go state my case to be in the national team as well. For me it’s a brilliant step. Hopefully I can go and play a lot of games there and we can succeed as a club.”
The 28-year-old looks back fondly on his three years at Inverness, where he won the 2018 Challenge Cup and played in last year’s Scottish Cup semi-final against Hearts.
Trafford said: “I thought when I got my run of games I was good and I gave everything. I really enjoyed my time up here, every chance I got to play I don’t think anyone can question my effort. It’s a really brilliant group and I had a ton of fun.
“We won a trophy and had some brilliant runs in the Scottish Cup and were in another cup final this year. There were definitely some really cool moments.
“I bought a house up here and it felt like home. I made some really good friends in and out of football. I think my football could have gone a bit better but at the same time, I’ve got my move to Premiership and I had a blast.”
