EXCLUSIVE

DYLAN McGeouch has revealed he was disappointed to miss out on the Scotland squad for the upcoming international matches, but intends to play his way back into Alex McLeish’s thoughts.

The 25-year-old midfielder joined Sunderland in the summer from Hibernian after earning his first Scotland caps in the end of season trip to Peru and Mexico.

While McGeouch impressed in pre-season for Sunderland, including in a 6-0 win at St Mirren, an injury sustained just as the campaign was about to kick-off has restricted him to just three League One substitute appearances so far.

“I’m disappointed [to not make the Scotland squad],” said McGeouch.

“Everyone wants to be picked [especially] considering I’ve had a wee taste of it and want to keep going.

“I obviously accept the decision and I can understand it a wee bit having a little niggle and not being playing week in, week out.

“I think, for me, it’s just about concentrating on Sunderland and getting back to playing. Pre-season was good [but then] I picked up the wee niggle and hopefully I can put that behind me and get games week in, week out.”

Sunderland, now managed by former St Mirren boss Jack Ross, who signed McGeouch, are unbeaten in League One this season, positioned fourth in the table two points off top spot as they look to achieve promotion at the first attempt following two successive relegations.