McGeouch not in any rush to assess his future

DYLAN McGEOUCH will finally sit down to assess his transfer options when he returns from Scotland’s trip to Mexico.

Newly promoted Blackburn lead the race to land the out-of-contract Hibs midfielder despite interest from Aberdeen and QPR. Rangers have also been linked in recent days.

Easter Road boss Neil Lennon has not given up hope of hanging on to the 25-year-old after tabling a fresh contract offer.

Claiming all thoughts of a move were on hold while he was on Scotland duty, however, McGeouch said: ‘I knew I was coming away with the international squad, so I just wanted to get that out of the way and, hopefully, get a few caps. I have obviously done that now.

‘I will go back home after these games, sit down with my representatives and take it from there. I am not in a rush to make any decision.

‘It has all been about trying to win my first international cap and enjoying my first international experience. I will worry about what the future holds at a later date.’

McGeouch earned his first Scotland cap in Lima in the 2-0 defeat to Peru.

Lining up alongside club-mates John McGinn and Lewis Stevenson, it was the first time three Hibs players had started a game for Scotland since a 1-1 draw with England at Hampden in 1956.

‘That was great,’ said McGeouch. ‘We have played together a lot this season and last season as well. For the three of us to play together in South America against Peru was excellent.

‘It was a great occasion for Lewis and I because we both won our first caps. John has a few now. Having them there really helped me.

‘It was good for me to get my first cap. The standard was very good. They are South Americans — they are sharp, they are fast, they are in your face. They like to win the ball back and hurt you through passes. It was a step up, but I knew that would be the case.

‘It is international football, it is a lot different. But I enjoyed it. Hopefully there will be many more caps to come.’

McGeouch explained that it was sweet to get a cap after being forced to pull out of the squad for the matches against Costa Rica and Hungary in March.

‘That was a sore one,’ he added. ‘I was delighted to get the call-up but I had a wee niggle in training during the week, so I had to pull out.

‘I was absolutely devastated. But I had the chance to come again and get my first cap and I did that. I have been waiting on it for a few months, because I had to pull out of the last squad. It is great to think that I have finally done it.

‘Personally, it has been a great season. I have really enjoyed it. To finish it off with a cap is amazing for my family. It has been well documented that there have been a few calls-offs, but it was a great occasion for boys to come in and get some experience.’