Pedro Mendes is striving to keep his place in the Portugal team after they sealed a World Cup play-off spot.
Gers midfielder pleased with his Portugal role
Pedro Mendes is striving to keep his place in the Portugal team after they sealed a World Cup play-off spot.
The Rangers midfielder put in an assured display as he helped his national team book their ticket for Monday's play-off draw with a 4-0 midweek win over Malta.
The 30-year-old was a late call-up for Carlos Queiroz's side, but was handed a starting berth ahead of Real Madrid's Pepe for both of Portugal's crucial qualifiers in which they had to win.
And after securing his fourth cap for his country in his home town of Guimaraes, Mendes has targeted a permanent spot in Queiroz's XI, one which he hopes will go to South Africa next year.
Pleasure
"It was great to be here with my team-mates and help Portugal progress," the midfielder said. "It was a pleasure for me but now I'm going back into the cold.
"I don't know what the coach's plans are for me. To be called upon wasn't something I was expecting.
"When the coach told me he would play me - that was another huge surprise.
"This double-header against Hungary and Malta was important for the national team and I am pleased to have played my role well.
"If I analyse my performance, I am very happy with what I did and I hope the coach was also.
"It was nice to play in front of the fans of my home town. They were fantastic and that was a big help."
