PHILLER INSTINCT
Matt finally hits the mark at international level then promises it’s the first of many
MATT PHILLIPS wants his maiden Scotland goal to be the first of many and admits he must improve his scoring record at international level.
The West Brom star scored the winner against Hungary last night to earn the first win of Alex McLeish’s second reign.
Phillips won his 11th cap in Budapest’s Groupama Arena and broke his scoring duck almost six years after making his debut.
The 27-year-old has been deployed as a striker in recent appearances for Scotland despite playing as a winger for the Baggies.
Leigh Griffiths is regarded as the No.1 striker but Phillips wants to prove to McLeish he’s an option up front and reckons his goal has helped his cause.
He played up front with Celtic’s James Forrest and the ex-England Under-20 ace fired home from Ryan Fraser’s cross early in the second half.
Phillips, who has scored just twice at club level this season, said: “I’m buzzing – it’s a proud moment for me and my family.
“And it’s great for us as a team because it’s a new group but we’re starting to gel and putting in plenty of work on the training ground.
“It’s been a new role for me in my last couple of games for Scotland. I’ve been up front but I’m enjoying it and we’re working hard on it on the training ground.
“We worked hard on the system in the last few days on the training pitch. A lot of the time I’m receiving the ball out wide anyway so it doesn’t really make a difference that I’m playing through the middle.
“But one thing I need to improve and keep working on is scoring goals, then it will be a role I can step into.
“It was a well-worked goal along with my strike partner on the night, James Forrest.
“We were missing a few strikers from the squad but if I can step in and fill the void then I’m delighted to do it.
“The way I played up front suited my game, I like running in behind.”
Phillips admits the win has boosted confidence in the camp after the defeat to Costa Rica at Hampden in McLeish’s first game.
And the international break has helped give him a much-needed lift after West Brom’s miserable season that sees them anchored to the foot of the Premier League.
His winner helped bail out skipper Charlie Mulgrew who missed a first-half penalty but Phillips, right, said: “Charlie didn’t have to say anything after the game.
“We’re a team and we’re out there together. Everyone misses penalties so it’s not a big deal.
“I’m just delighted to get the win and give us something to build on.
“There’s plenty of positives to take from both games but it’s important to win.
“This will give us confidence and the fans something to cheer about. There’s nothing
better than when the crowd are behind you – and the Scotland fans are right behind us so it’s a joy to play for them.
“There’s been a good buzz around the camp for the 10 days we’ve been together. It’s new ideas and new players and the attitude has been first class so it’s exciting.
“There were positives despite the defeat against Costa Rica. We’re a new group still gelling together. We will take the positives from this and build for the next game.
“It’s been great for me to come away, get the goal and finish off with a win. It was a good team performance and it does wonders for your confidence.
“I’m also available for the end-of-season games against Peru and Mexico. You could see from our performance here that everyone wants to be involved and show the boss what we can do.”
Mulgrew admits he was happy
to step up and take the spot-kick, won by Fraser.
He said: “I took responsibility as captain at the penalty and unfortunately didn’t put it away so it was good we got there in the end.
“I thought Callum McGregor was going to take it. I’d just gone up to talk to the boys about a couple of things and was offered the ball so like I say, as captain, I felt like I should step up.
“It was important after missing the penalty that we responded well and kept going at them.
“It was a terrific move for the goal and a nice finish.
“We were pleased with our first-half display but we needed a goal and it was good to get it so early in the second.
“We managed to see it out and everyone’s delighted. It’s been a real honour to be captain of my country. It’s been unexpected but I was delighted to be asked and I’m always happy to stand up and take responsibility on.”
Mulgrew now faces a huge club game with Blackburn against Bradford in League One tomorrow and said: “My recovery starts right now.
“I’ll look after myself as best I can, will talk with the manager and we’ll do what’s best for the team.
“I came here ready to play both games and to put in as many minutes as the manager needed me for.
“As it happens, that was 90 minutes both times and I ’ m happy with that.
“Scotland’s been my focus throughout these 10 days, now it’s Blackburn again. That’s how it works.” Mulgrew played alongside new boys Jack Hendry, who was handed his debut, and Scott McKenna who kept his place after impressing against Costa Rica. And he said: “Both Jack and Scott did really well. They’re top young players who’ve taken their chance well. “They’re comfortable on the ball, though it got harder for them to step forward once Hungary pressed us a bit more later on. It was a different challenge for them and they handled it well. “It wa s physical at times. We were ready for it after watching videos of Hungary.”