Irvine aiming to help Aussies get off to flyer

Jackson Irvine has revealed that not knowing the words to Flower of Scotland made him realise his internatioal future lay with Australia.

The former Celtic and Ross County player is preparing to face France at the World Cup today after winning a dream place in Bert van Marwijk’s Socceroos squad for Russia.

The Melbourne-born 25-year-old has a Scottish father, Steve, and turned out for his adopted nation at the Uefa Under-19 European championship in 2011, playing three times and scoring on his debut against Slovenia.

However, the midfielder has confessed he was left questioning his commitment to Scotland when he looked around and saw the likes of Callum McGregor, Fraser Fyvie and Jason Holt belting out the national anthem during the pre-match rituals.

Irvine, who left County for Burton Albion in 2016 before making the switch to Hull City last summer, said: “My old man, who comes from Aberdeen, still has my Scottish jersey framed on the wall in his office.

“I’ve always had a close connection to the Scottish side of my family - more than half of them are from there - and it felt like too good an opportunity to pass up, especially with a major tournament coming up.

“I’d never been recognised nationally by Australia. I jumped at the chance to play international football.

“But something hit me before my debut against Slovenia. ‘Flower of Scotland’ played over the loudspeaker and I didn’t know the words.

“I could hear all the other boys singing loudly and representing their nation. I was representing my family, definitely, but this wasn’t where I was from. It was quite a surreal moment for me.”