GORDON STRACHAN is looking out for a hero - and Leigh Griffiths wants to audition for the part.

The fact he would be jumping from a Johnstone's Paint Trophy defeat against Notts County to a World Cup qualifier against Croatia does not faze the man currently scoring goals for Wolves in English League Division One.

Strachan gave Griffiths the nod to lead the line in Zagreb in June when Scotland shocked the Croats by winning 1-0.

The striker who made such an impact during his loan spell at Hibs before being recalled to Molineux the week of that end-of-season international also started in the home game against Belgium.

Now, with four caps to his credit, 23-year-old Griffiths would like to break his scoring duck.

With Jordan Rhodes joining the likes of Steven Fletcher and Shaun Maloney in becoming unavailable for this qualifying programme closer, he could well get his chance on Tuesday.

Griffiths concedes it is a huge step up from Johnstone's Paint and League One to World Cup, but has a philosophical approach to making the leap.

"It's a game of football, at the end of the day." he insisted. "You are just playing against another 11 players. It is a step up, but I have got to try and do my part."

While the recently-retired Kenny Miller has proved a positive role model for Griffiths as he looks to become a trusted lone striker for his country, it is another absentee, Rhodes, who is providing extra inspiration that, no matter what level you play with your club, if your performances are good enough, you can get your opportunity.

"Jordan was in League One when he got his Scotland chance," said Griffiths, who watched helplessly from Easter Road as Wolves plummeted from the Premiership to the third tier of the English game.

"He was scoring goals every week for Huddersfield, so I'm just looking at him as a role model and know that, if you are playing well and scoring goals, the manager is going to have to think about you.

"Obviously, every player wants to be playing in the Premiership. But there are a lot if big clubs in the Championship and in League One as well, the likes of ourselves, Sheffield United and Peterborough."

Griffiths is not alone at combining League One football with international duty, but he admits the standard of opposition he encounters when he pulls on the Dark Blue takes him to another level.

"I'm not going to lie, it has been difficult," he said of the challenge. "It was a bolt out of the blue when I was told I was going to start over in Croatia.

"We were training the day before the game, and the manager just said, 'This is the team for tomorrow', and I was up front. I was delighted, but shocked at the same time. It was a great honour to start a World Cup qualifier.

"I had a phone call from the new Wolves manager, (Kenny Jackett) a few days earlier to say he was going to give me a chance down the road. Then that start for Scotland came and it just made it perfect."

A story which would be made complete by Griffiths' name being added to those who have scored for Scotland, and he agreed: "It would not be a bad time to do it.

"We know it's going to be a difficult game against Croatia. But, if there is any chance of scoring, I'll be looking to put it in the back of the net."

Griffiths's enthusiasm is one of the qualities which appeals to Strachan.

He is one of the new faces who has bought into the fresh approach the manager has worked hard to bring to a squad which was already out of the race for Rio before he took over at the start of this year.

But it is still very much a work in progress. And, while performances have improved, it is results which provide the real boost.

Griffiths said: "The manager has come in and brought that feel-good factor back to the squad.

"Hopefully we can finish the qualifiers in the right way with a good result against Croatia so that, for the next campaign, we get a good draw and take our chances. We want to get back to a major tournament.

"It's a long time since we have been there, and the fans have been disappointed. It's up to us to rectify that and, hopefully, by the end of the next campaign, we are going to be at a major finals again."

By then, Griffiths hopes he will be joining the squad from a Wolves team operating in a higher division than League One.

"I've said since I signed two-and-a-half years ago that all I wanted was the chance to prove I could score goals for them," he said.

"The season has gone well for me. I've scored seven in 10 games, and, hopefully, I can keep that run going and force my way into the Scotland team.

"The SPL was a good league, but I'd say it is harder to score in League One. You have a lot more games and it's a lot more demanding.

"People at Wolves didn't really know a lot about me before I went out on loan. But, my performances for Hibs opened their eyes a bit. I've gone back and showed the people who didn't know me what I can do."