Alexander sees Stevenson as ideal late bloomer for Scotland

A CONSISTENT, underrated full-back whose long service with a club did not result in senior Scotland recognition until the age of 30 for end-of-season friendlies.

That was Graham Alexander in 2002, and he hopes Lewis Stevenson’s similar profile blossoms, too, with the start of a fine international career this summer.

Stevenson (right), who made his Hibernian debut in September 2005, was one of the surprise picks from Alex McLeish to head for Peru and Mexico.

Alexander can readily appreciate how the Easter Road man is feeling ahead of the trip.

He debuted for Berti Vogts in the German’s first game on home soil — a 2-1 defeat to Nigeria — before being called up for the tour to South Korea and Hong Kong.

In representing Scotland 40 times, Alexander is the prime example for latecomers to the national stage to follow.

‘I was probably a bit similar to Lewis in that I wasn’t a nine out of ten who’d catch the eye every week,’ said the ex-Preston and Burnley man.

‘But watch me over the season. I think, for Lewis, that’s something that’s held him in good stead with Alex McLeish. ‘He has to go there and enjoy himself. If it’s one cap, it will be a proud moment to always remember when he retires. If it leads to something more, then what a bonus. ‘To come so late at 30 and to stay with the Scotland set-up for seven years and earn 40 caps was something I didn’t envisage when I got my first one.

‘If it had happened at 21, I might not have taken it all in. Because I was 30 and I’d pretty much thought my ambitions weren’t going to happen, I was so determined. I wanted to play well enough to make sure I was picked again.’