Watt hoping to impress McLeish

Tony Watt may have been named Ladbrokes Premiership Player of the Month for August but the striker is certainly not content to rest on his laurels as he sets his sights on a Scotland recall, writes Neil Robertson.

The 24-year-old has hit the ground running since joining St Johnstone with six goals to his name already this season.

The former Celtic frontman is determined that form will continue for Saints and he hopes if it does then national boss Alex McLeish will be impressed enough to bring him back into the Scotland fold.

Watt, who won his solitary cap so far against the Czech Republic in 2016, said: “I want to get back into the Scotland squad. There’s no secret about that but it is going to be hard.

“I have to play games consistently and score goals but I believe I can do that so hopefully I can get involved. Who knows, if I can score a few more goals this month I might make the next squad.

“There’s always a place for players doing well and the manager has shown that with some of the guys he has called up.

“When the old manager was there he would keep in contact and let you know what he wanted you to do.”

“But it is a new set-up and I was out for six months. I’m sure the boys who have been called up were told what to do and that is understandable,” Watt added:

“It’s like anything, you need to force your way on to the radar.

“The manager has watched players play and train so he knows what they can do. He will be happy with them so why pick someone who has done OK for a month?

“A lot of lads are struggling with injuries but everyone has a chance if they are doing well.

“Hopefully I can get back in there if I continue to do well.

“It was amazing when I was capped for Scotland. I was going through a good time at that point.

“I was flying and I was enjoying my football.

“It was a feather in the cap. Unfortunately, I got injured a few weeks later and missed the next trip.

“I was back in the squad after that. It was just unfortunate that I didn’t play.

“But I know it is achievable. It is down to me.

“I didn’t think I would get a late call, not at all. It’s the hope that kills you. I’m not in that mindset just now. If it comes, it comes.

“A lot of players do well for a month or so but then fade away. If I am doing it month after month and not being picked, then I might get worried.

“If I can do well in September and get called up that would be great. I just have to be consistent.”

Watt admitted he is loving life at St Johnstone and getting regular game time under manager Tommy Wright.

That is in contrast to his experiences from the last couple of years when he was left feeling frustrated on loan at Cardiff, Blackburn and Hearts as well as a spell at Belgian club OH Leuven.

He said: “I did well in the Championship in England with Charlton and did well for Celtic as well.

“Over the last two years I just didn’t play. I kept working hard in training but wasn’t given games.

“If I had let myself get upset or downed tools I’d be the one who suffered.

“I showed how hard I had worked by coming here and playing straight away after six months out.

“No one can question my attitude or work ethic.

“I don’t need to go and chase money or big contracts.

“I have been places where I collected big money but I didn’t play. I am happy being here and playing games.

“I was desperate to play games and I’ve been scoring. Hopefully I can keep adding to it.”

Watt is certainly edging closer to his pre-season target of double figures for goals with the six already – including one against Hibs that flew into the net with the help of a large deflection from a defender.

However, the striker is still insistent that the credit for the strike deservedly went to him.

He said: “It’s been a good month for the team and I have got six goals in nine games.

“The goal against Hibs has gone down as mine so it is definitely six.

“Willie Collum gave me it and so has the SPFL. I think even God gave me it!

“I knew I would get it. But I tried to stay away from the chairman before the SPFL gave me it.

“My target was double figures and before I get that it will stay the same.

“I just need to think about scoring goals and everything else takes care of itself.

“It’s a tight-knit group here and the manager has been brilliant with me.”

Tony Watt, Ladbrokes Premiership Player of the Month for August.