DREAM TRIP FOR JASON Saints defender celebrates first international start
Jason Kerr won his first international cap for Scotland U21s in Andorra St Johnstone defender Jason Kerr admits it was a dream come true to win his first international cap.
And now the powerful centreback is hoping to follow in the footsteps of Aberdeen stopper Scott McKenna.
Kerr played the full 90 minutes for Scotland’s Under-21 side in a frustrating 1-1 draw with Andorra on Friday evening.
On the same night McKenna made his national senior debut at Hampden as Alex McLeish’s Scots narrowly lost out to Costa Rica.
“Scott McKenna started the game for the senior side against Costa Rica and he has done amazing for himself,” Kerr told the Perthshire Advertiser.
“He has been great for Aberdeen this season and has got himself that full Scotland cap.
“It’s possible for any young centre-back. You just need to look at what Scott has done. Hopefully that can happen for me.
“The experience in Andorra was good for me. I have been away with Scotland a couple of times now but this was my first start.
“It was an honour to play. The trip was good but we were disappointed to only draw with Andorra.
“The pitch conditions were not great but I was still happy to get my first cap.
“Every Scottish player dreams of playing for their country at Under-21 or for the senior team.
“It is a dream come true for me and hopefully there are now more to come.
“Your confidence is up when you are away with the national team because you have obviously been picked for a reason.
“There is a Toulon tournament at the end of May, start of June so hopefully I can get to that. I hope I have done enough.
“It’s a 1997s trip so will be a bit of a younger group.”
Kerr is back on Premiership duty with Saints on Wednesday night as Hamilton make the trip to McDiarmid Park.
The 21-year-old is determined to pick up three points having missed out on the club’s draw against Hibernian due to suspension.
He said: “We are looking for the three points on Wednesday and for now are taking every game as it comes.
“Every game is hard in this league. Hamilton will be fighting for the lives
too. There is an outside chance of top six if we win our next three games and Hearts and Motherwell struggle.
“Hopefully I can now play through to the end of the season and that we can get as far up the table as possible.”
Kerr has been a regular on the Perth team-sheet this season after loan spells with East Fife and more recently Queen of the South.
“I was on loan for two and a half years but I feel I have improved massively. I feel I am ready to play all of the time for St Johnstone,”Kerr said.
“I’have been very pleased with this season. I didn’t expect to come back and play every week.
“I’ve managed to stay in the team and the gaffer must have seen something in me.
“It’s always great having Joe Shaughnessy, Steven Anderson and Richard Foster to help you along the way.
“They have got a lot of experience and always help me through games.”
Kick-off at McDiarmid Park is 7.45pm onWednesday.