McKay still keen on Scotland recall
BARRIE McKAY admits continuing to play regularly and maintaining the pace that Hearts have set so far remain his primary objectives. However, the fleet-footed forward would not be averse to the prospect of a return to the Scotland squad following a five-year absence.
McKay’s solitary appearance for the national team came in June 2016 when he made a substitute outing in a 3-0 defeat away to France during Gordon Strachan’s tenure.
That call-up came when McKay was starring for Rangers, and he has since turned out for Nottingham Forest, Swansea City and Fleetwood Town before signing on at Tynecastle during the summer.
McKay has certainly made an encouraging start to life in Gorgie, playing eight games and scoring once for a Hearts team currently sitting third in the Premiership ahead of today’s visit of Dundee United.
Should that to lead to national team manager Steve Clarke paying closer attention remains to be seen, although the 26-year-old would be receptive to any potential return to the Scotland squad.
“That’s probably a question for the Scotland manager but obviously everyone wants to play for their country,” said McKay. “Being at a club like Hearts, near the top of the league, gives you a better chance of getting back in.
“But I was just concerned about playing football again this season and if that gets me into the Scotland squad then so be it. If not, I’ll keep working hard to get in in the future.”
McKay’s direct running and pace have caused problems for opposition teams this season, although the forward wants more tangible rewards for the effort he has put in so far.
He added: “Am I at my best yet? It’s hard to tell. Everyone has their own opinion but I think I’ve been playing well. I’ve been more disappointed that I’ve not been able to score or assist as much as I’d have liked to. It’ll come.
“I’m not exactly old and I’ve got a lot to learn, but I’ll just keep playing my own game.”
Hearts’ start to the season took a stumble last weekend when they suffered their first league defeat of the season in a 2-1 set-back at Aberdeen.
Despite enjoying a prolonged undefeated run, Hearts have not been immune to criticism from their supporters in the wake of that loss.
McKay added: “When you’re at a bigger club, one defeat feels like the end of the world. That’s the pressure we have to deliver for the fans.
“I have been places where maybe the fan base isn’t as high and if you lose a game you can just get on with your life.
“Here, you play under that pressure and that’s where you want to be as a footballer.”
Meanwhile, Finland winger Ilmari Niskanen has declared himself a massive fan of Scottish football and its “flying tackles” after his first eight games for Dundee United.
The 24-year-old arrived at Tannadice in August following a protracted move from Ingolstadt in Germany’s
Bundesliga 2 and is relishing his new challenge.
Speaking ahead of United’s trip to face Hearts today, he said: “I absolutely love the Scottish way of football. The intensity is great and the physicality is great.
“There are always flying tackles and there is just a brilliant feeling that you are always in a game.
“And of course the atmosphere in the stadium is fantastic and the passion from the fans is something I haven’t experienced before. I love it.
“It has been absolutely brilliant so far, I have enjoyed every second.”