Former Derby County star Johnny Russell has admitted that he still has ambitions to get into the Scotland squad in what is a huge year for the national team.
The 30-year-old, who currently plays for MLS side Sporting Kansas City, is hoping to catch the eye of manager Steve Clarke by performing well in America.
Hasn’t played for national side since 2019
Russell hasn’t played for Scotland since 2019. The player also missed the excitement of qualifying for the Euros thanks to Covid protocols.
Sporting Kansas City forward Johnny Russell (Photo by Nick Tre. Smith/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
But, with World Cup qualifiers and the European Championship on the horizon, he is eager to make his return.
“If I play like I have been doing recently then I have a very good chance of being there” he said (BBC Sport).
Russell feels that playing in America shouldn’t be an impediment to playing for the national side, and if he is playing well enough it doesn’t matter where he plays club football.
Doesn’t feel phased out
“I don’t think the manager has completely phased me out. I feel like if I’m doing well then the distance doesn’t matter, and he will have me involved” he continued.
Johnny Russell hopes to get back in the Scotland squad (Photo by Scott Winters/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Russell is aiming to work as hard as possible for Kansas City over the next few months in order to get that place in the Scotland squad back.
“I want to be in every squad. So I’ll be doing everything I possibly can to make myself available” he concluded.
Russell’s form over the next few months will certainly be something to look out for. If he can bag a host of goals and assists then he could well return to the Scotland squad.