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Search forScotland aim for Bristol City defender McAllister
Thursday, October 09, 2008, 08:00
Recalled to the national squad for the first time in four years, the City star is determined to get the nod ahead of Sheffield United stalwart Gary Naysmith when the Scots meet Norway in a crucial World Cup qualifier at Hampden Park on Saturday.
And if selected to start, McAllister says playing for his country will represent the proudest moment of his career to date.
His one and only cap came in a friendly win over Jamaica in 2004 and the 30-year-old Glaswegian is looking to make up for lost time.
He said: "I'm a proud Scot and I'm very passionate about my country.
"Hopefully, I have a good chance of playing and, if that happens, it will be the pinnacle of my career. There is no bigger honour for a footballer than playing for his country and I'm delighted to be involved.
"My family are really excited and all want tickets for the game and I really want to get in the team for them."
A regular on the Hampden Park terraces as a boy, McAllister describes the chance of playing in front of a full-house national stadium crowd as a dream come true.
He revealed: "I lived about 10 minutes from Hampden as a boy and often watched international games there.
"I used to go with mates to support the national team and I dreamed of one day running out there to play for Scotland.
"It's been a long time coming, but I never gave up believing I'd be recalled. Now I'm back in the squad, I want to play and establish myself.
"Hopefully, I've impressed George Burley enough to have a good chance."
Victorious in Iceland last time out, the Scots need another three-point haul to cement their position in Group Nine. And McAllister believes playing at Hampden holds the key to Scotland's hopes of reaching the 2010 World Cup finals in South Africa.
He said: "Things have gone really well over the past couple of years and the Scotland team has come on in leaps and bounds.
"Our home form has been a big part of that improvement and it's vital we pick up the three points on Saturday.
"The boys are buzzing after winning the last game and now we have to build on that with a good result against Norway."
Scotland boss Burley had words of encouragement for McAllister when announcing his squad, describing the City defender as "a tremendous professional."
He said: "Jamie was desperate to get into the squad and I don't call up people for nothing. Everyone in the squad has a chance of playing.
"I know Jamie well from Hearts when he was a midfield player. But he's settled in well at left-back and has done a great job for Bristol City."
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