The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
O’Donnell out to stake a claim for Scotland spot
Kilmarnock right-back called up for Peru and Mexico matches
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 to the national squad for the first time to replace Barry Douglas after the Wolves full-back dropped out ahead of the post-season friendlies in Lima on Tuesday and Mexico City on June 2.
O’Donnell, who joined Killie at the start of last season from Luton, had no qualms about being called into 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, two 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 I did not hesitate one bit to say yes.”
O’Donnell almost ignored the phone call which confirmed his first call-up for the senior national squad.
The former Partick Thistle defender said: “I was having a coffee with Michelle Evans (of PFA Scotland) and I got the phone call.
“I looked down and I was going to hang up. It was an 0141 number and I thought it was PPI (payment protection insurance) or something.
“But Michelle said, ‘that’s Hampden’ and I got a bit excited and took the call and I was delighted.
“There was a part of me which thought I had half a chance of getting into the original squad but I wasn’t.
“At the start of the season I wouldn’t have dreamed of being in it but when I got that call I was on cloud nine.”
It is widely believed that the left-back position is Scotland’s strongest with Champions League finalist Andy Robertson of Liverpool, successive treble-winning Kieran Tierney of Celtic and Douglas all vying for the spot.
However, O’Donnell believes the other side of the pitch has its own challenges.
The former Scotland Under-21 cap said: “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.
“Like every player on this trip, you want to make a name for yourself and show the nation that you are capable of performing at the top level.”