Barry keen to repay Levein for support over car conviction

BARRY BANNAN wants to show Scotland boss Craig Levein his thanks for the support over his drink-drive conviction.

The 21-year-old was given an 18-month driving ban and fined £4,500 in November after admitting a string of offences following a crash on the M1 in October.

Bannan missed the trip to Cyprus last year but has now returned to the squad.

And he said: “If I get on the pitch in Slovenia I have got to repay Craig Levein.

“It’s good to be back. Because of what happened in November, I couldn’t be involved in the squad.

“But Craig has shown great faith in me as I haven’t played a lot for Aston Villa since the last Scotland squad.

“The way he has handled everything has been great. He could easily have just named the squad for the Cyprus game without telling me why.

“I had great respect for the gaffer before this happened – but that was enhanced when he explained to me why I wasn’t going to be involved.

“He made it clear at the time that I had been left out for that reason only.

“He showed what a good manager he is by ringing me and talking to me about what had happened and trying to help me.

“What I did was stupid – there’s no other word to describe it.

“I regret it so much, but it’s happened and I can’t go back. I just have to make sure it never happens again.”