Considine so glad to be back in squad

THE prospect of featuring at Euro 2020 while simultaneously being involved in Scotland’s bid to qualify for Qatar 2022 was far more dream than reality for Andy Considine this time last year.

Then uncapped, the Aberdeen defender was a surprise inclusion but brilliant performer for his country when called upon at the tail end of last year in the UEFA Nations League.

His level of performance was so impressive that the 33-year-old’s inclusion in Steve Clarke’s squad for the start of Scotland’s World Cup qualification campaign was expected. But, after waiting your entire career for a cap, the novelty of a call-up was still very much evident when Considine was questioned.

“First and foremost, I’m delighted to be involved with the squad again,” he said after Aberdeen’s defeat to Dundee United on Saturday.

“I was delighted when I got the message. Experiences like that at my age are fantastic, well I suppose at any age. I want to be involved as much as I can. But it’s a big squad that the manager’s taken. If called upon, I’ll be ready.”

Scotland begin their World Cup qualification campaign against Austria tomorrow, before facing familiar foes Israel and the Faroe Islands. Considine knows it is crucial to start well.

“It’s huge. I think if we can come away with three wins or a couple wins and a draw,” he added.

“I think it would be a fantastic start. We’d take that right now. But it’s going to be hard. Austria will be tough and Israel seem to follow us about at the minute and they’re a good team. You can’t knock them, they’re good. That’ll be really tough. And the Faroe Islands will be tough as well. It’s the same three points.”