Kris Commons is determined to grasp his opportunity after being called up to the Scotland squad.
Derby midfielder shocked by call-up
Kris Commons is determined to grasp his opportunity after being called up to the Scotland squad for the first time.
Commons, who joined Derby from Nottingham Forest in June, was born in Mansfield but is eligible to play for Scotland as he has a grandmother from Dundee.
The 24-year-old admits he was surprised as well as delighted to be selected by George Burley for the clash with Northern Ireland.
"I thought it was a bit of a wind-up," Commons told
Sky Sports News.
"I've only played one game for Derby so from playing League One football a couple of years ago it was totally different.
"It is something that I am going to thrive on and hopefully in training I can show exactly what I can do.
"I have got a good left foot and the ability to take on players, so I am more of an entertaining player rather than a defensive one."
Pressley hope
Five players have withdrawn from the Scotland squad to disrupt Burley's preparations for next month's World Cup qualifiers.
However, Burley's assistant Steven Pressley is confident that Scotland should be able to challenge for qualification for the tournament in South Africa.
He said: "There will be an expectancy from the Tartan Army for this campaign and that's something we'll need to handle.
"But we've got players in the squad with great experience and we've got youngsters who will play with no fear."
