RYAN HARDIE hopes he can stake a claim for Scotland’s next Under-21 campaign and repay boss Scot Gemmill for showing faith in him.
The Rangers striker has been promoted from the Under-19 ranks and joined Gemmill’s squad for the fixtures with Iceland and Macedonia in the coming days.
Scotland can finish no higher than fourth in Group 3 after a poor run of results that saw Ricky Sbragia replaced as manager and will now hope to end a disappointing campaign on a high note.
Read more: Ryan Hardie: Saints loan stint will help me make the grade at Rangers
Hardie has netted five goals in eleven appearances for St Mirren and the Light Blues’ second string so far this season and is determined to prove he can handle the step up on the international scene.
He said: “It is a big honour to get my first call-up for the Under-21 squad. It was unexpected but hopefully I can make the most of the opportunity and it will be a good experience for me to be on my first trip at that level.
Read more: Ryan Hardie: Saints loan stint will help me make the grade at Rangers
“I am really grateful to Scot. I worked with him at 17s and 19s and he must see something in me so I have to repay his faith in me now.
“He took the 17s to the finals and at 19s we were unlucky not to go further. He has done very well and is rightly highly rated. It is great for him to get the Under-21 job.
“First and foremost you are representing your country and I will gain good experience on the trip. It is a change to stake my claim for the new campaign.
“The manager has brought in some new faces to try and bed them in for next season. All I can do is do my best and hopefully we can get two good results.
“I wanted to go out on loan and get regular games and some first team experience. That is paying off for me and getting the call-up to the 21s is proof of that and another step in the right direction for me.”
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