National career was made to just disappear
Charlie Adam still harbors ambitions to play again for Scotland.
The 33-year-old Stoke City midfielder hasn’t represented the country since being axed from the squad by Gordon Strachan in 2015.
However, with mentor Alex Mcleish now back in charge of the national side and a move north looming on the horizon, Adam believes his luck could be about to change.
“It was unsatisfying the way I just sort of drifted out of the picture. I got my 26th cap at Easter Road against Qatar and then was never seen again,” he said. “It was like somebody just made me disappear.
“But it is what it is. That’s the way it goes. The manager obviously never fancied me and that’s fine.
“Is my Scotland career finished, though? No, I hope not. “Ultimately performances at club level will dictate that, and at the moment we’re very strong in midfield.
“We have Ryan Christie, Callum Mcgregor, Ryan Jack and Stuart Armstrong. There are a lot of good players. “But on form, you’ve got to back yourself as good enough.
“To do that, you’ve got to play regularly, and when I am playing regularly, I would never ever close the door.
“I’m still available, but I need to be playing games before I’m even thinking about Scotland – and before Alex even thinks about picking me.
“That’s as far as it would go, and once I’m playing games, then you get judged on that.”
The key to his chances, Adam reckons, is his existing relationship with Alex Mcleish.
“First and foremost, I like him as a person,” he said.
“He’s somebody who I could relate to, and someone I look up to as a fatherfigure because I was young and I see a lot of my dad in how he is as a person.
“Alex is an honest guy, he will speak the truth and tell people how it is. I like that about him.
“He gave me my debut for Scotland and my debut for Rangers.
“So, I’ve got an opportunity. I hope I can take it because playing for my country means everything to me.”