KRIS COMMONS today revealed how he'd been left "completely stunned" when he learned he was in line for a Scotland call-up after just one match with his new club Derby County.
Although he was well aware he had some "Scottish blood" thanks to his father's Dundee-born mother, the 24-year-old admitted pulling on a dark blue jersey had never entered his thoughts.
But now the midfield star has the chance to force his way int
o the World Cup plans of Scotland boss George Burley, pictured below, in tonight's friendly against Northern Ireland, the Scots' final warm-up match before the serious business of qualifying for South Africa in 2010 begins next month.
Commons, who made 159 appearances for Nottingham Forest before a summer switch to the Rams, said: "It was all so completely unexpected. I was called into the office at our training ground and told they'd received an e-mail from George Burley to the effect that if I could show I had Scottish blood in me there was a good chance I would be called up.
"I was always aware my grandmother had been born in Dundee.
"My old man used to take me to Scotland to see that side of the family, but I never thought it would come to pass."
Born in Mansfield before beginning his career with Stoke City, Commons didn't need a second invitation to join Burley's squad at their base on the banks of Loch Lomond.
He said: "I was straight into the loft at home digging out the birth certificates to prove I had a Scottish connection.
"I've never played international football at any level, but I'd love to grab this chance to play for Scotland.
"I'm not looking to set off fireworks and have people saying 'we've been missing that guy for years', but I'd relish the opportunity tonight to show I belong in the squad.
"There are a lot of good, strong players in this side and it would be great if I could establish myself as being in the reckoning.
"It would be great to be part of the World Cup qualifying squad, but this is the start of a journey I never thought I would be making.
"Whether it stops after tonight or carries on to next month's games we'll have to wait and see. But it is something I am relishing and hopefully I have done enough in training and can do enough should I get the chance to play for whatever time tonight to show George Burley I am capable of playing international football."
While Commons was shocked at his call-up, he was equally surprised to discover he had been on Burley's radar for some time. He said: "Normally you would reckon you'd have enjoyed a run of games playing well and perhaps scoring a few goals then you might get this sort of recognition, but I had only played one game for Derby when Scotland got in touch.
"I was completely stunned. I think everyone at Derby was shocked and surprised while Paul Jewell (the Rams' manager] was claiming the credit telling me I'd only been with the club a month and he'd already turned me into an international player. I'd no idea anyone was watching me when I was with Forest. There's always a lot of scouts at their games because they have always been known as a club which brings through young players.
"Now I know there could be someone in the stand watching me every week, although, having just moved to a new club, I'm trying to impress everyone in every game. It has been a fantastic start to the season; an absolute whirlwind."
The full article contains 626 words and appears in Edinburgh Evening News newspaper.
