The young striker made an immediate impact on his full international debut, scoring a memor-able header in Scotland's 3-1 win against Australia at Easter Road.

Within just a matter of weeks, his clinical goalscoring exploits with Huddersfield Town prompted Blackburn Rovers to make him their major signing of the transfer window by sealing an £8m deal.

Amid all the excitement, the striker remains unperturbed by this new-found status and attention.

He is now part of Craig Levein's plans ahead of Saturday's World Cup 2014 Qualifying opener against Serbia at Hampden and is typically unfazed by the collective responsibility of making a positive first impression in a suffocating Group A.

"This week is about focusing on the task in hand – and that's getting off to a good start against Serbia and getting us into contention early," he said.

"People talk about how many points we need here or there, but it is not important. We will need as many points as it requires for us to qualify.

"All I know is that the squad assembled by the manager will be doing their utmost to get off to the best possible start."

Rhodes speaks with the same composure and assuredness that characterises his penalty-box instincts. Having helped Billy Stark's Under-21s to prominence in their Euro 2013 qualifiers, he is now motivated to repeat those feats on the full international stage, albeit with a little help from his friends.

"It was great to be part of it and great to be involved against Australia," he recalled of his starting debut.

"I thought we played really well on the night and it is great for your development to come in to a team alongside players of that ability.

"It is not just the character they show on the field but off the field; the charisma of the senior players such as Charlie Adam, Gary Caldwell and James Morrison.

"There were a few new players against Australia and having that experience around you gives you a tremendous insight into what it takes to succeed at that level.

"It is great to learn from the senior players and hopefully I can take what I have learned into the qualifiers if I am involved."

Rhodes, even at this fledgling stage of his career, is already a role model to thousands of aspiring young Scottish footballers. It is a responsibility he takes in his stride but also one he accepts with maturity.

"I just want to work hard on the football field and off the pitch and try to do what's right," he said.

"I think as a footballer there is a responsibility to behave in the right way. I always treat people with respect at all times, whether away from football or among my fellow professionals.

"There are young players watching you on television and I believe that puts an extra onus on you, especially at inter-national level."

There will be many glued to their seats on Saturday hoping Rhodes can pen a new chapter in his captivating career adventure.