Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
O’Donnell aims to take chance
KILMARNOCK right-back Stephen O’Donnell believes Peru and Mexico are perfect places for him to show Alex McLeish that he is Scotland material.
The 26-year-old was called up the national team squad for the first time to replace Barry Douglas after t h e Wo l v e s full-back dropped out ahead of the post-season friendlies in Lima on May 29 and Mexico City on June 2.
O’Donnell, who j oined Killie at the start of last season from Luton, had no qualms about being called i nto an already inexperienced and makeshift squad after being originally omitted and is excited about the chance to show boss McLeish that he is up to the job.
He said: “There have been better players than me who have gone through their career without getting a call to represent their country.
“And a trip to Peru and Mexico, t wo massive countries that are in the World Cup – if there is ever a place for you to go to try to show that you belong somewhere, it is against two teams who are going to be competing in the biggest competition in the world.
“I am excited and did not hesitate one bit to say yes.
“I just need to try to take this opportunity to show the staff what I am capable of and if that leads to future calls I will be delighted.
“Ryan Fraser, Callum Paterson and James Forrest have all played right wing-back and they have all been brilliant so I am not naive to think I should be knocking on the door.”