Hibs’ midfielder Kevin Thomson is back in the Scotland squad for this week’s World Cup qualifiers double header against on form Belgium at Hampden Park on Friday night then Macedonia in Skopje four days later.
On Saturday, Kevin lent his considerable experience to the youngsters and helped the team to a 9-0 win over Hawick Royal Albert at Hibs Training Centre in front of a handful of fans, whilst serving a suspension from first team duties, but six days later he could be playing in front of a full house at the national stadium against one of the top sides in Europe.
His performances for Hibs this season have persuaded Scotland boss Gordon Strachan to hand him the opportunity to kick-start his international career after injuries forced Graham Dorrans and James Morrison out of the squad.
Speaking to the official Hibernian website, Thomson said: “I’m delighted with the call-up – it’s been three years since I was last involved with Scotland, but a return has always been a big personal goal for me. Obviously I’ve squeezed in through other boys’ hard luck and injury, although I’ve experienced that side of it before too.
“Hopefully this will be start of what will be a good season for me. To be back involved is great and even if I don’t get to play in either of the qualifiers it’s a special feeling to be part of the Scotland squad again.”
His inclusion in the Under 20s team came as a surprise to those watching, but Thomson decided that it would be more beneficial to work on his fitness rather than support his team-mates against Ross County at Easter Road.
He added: “I really enjoyed the experience and I think really highly of James (McDonaugh, Head of Academy Coaching).
“He has got the team playing the right way and, even though we won 9-0, the team still had to perform well to achieve that. You can only beat whatever is put in front of you.
“I really wanted to be involved in the game and I felt I got a lot out of it in terms of my match sharpness and fitness levels. There were only 30 or 40 supporters there, so if I do get the opportunity to play at Hampden it will be on the other end of the scale.”
The 28-year-old midfielder, who was three caps, last featured for the national side in August 2010 against Sweden.
He will team up with former Hibs’ team-mate Leigh Griffiths, Steven Whittaker and Scott Brown.
The full squad is as follows:
Goalkeepers: Matt Gilks (Blackpool), David Marshall (Cardiff City), Allan McGregor (Hull City), Craig Samson (Kilmarnock)
Defenders: Ikechi Anya (Watford), Gordon Greer (Brighton and Hove Albion), Grant Hanley (Blackburn Rovers), Alan Hutton (Aston Villa), Russell Martin (Norwich City), Charlie Mulgrew (Celtic), Steven Whittaker (Norwich City)
Midfielders: Charlie Adam (Stoke City), Barry Bannan (Aston Villa), George Boyd (Hull City), Scott Brown (Celtic), Craig Conway (Cardiff City), Graham Dorrans (West Bromwich Albion), James Forrest (Celtic), James McArthur (Wigan Athletic), James Morrison (West Bromwich Albion), Steven Naismith (Everton), Robert Snodgrass (Norwich City)
Forwards: Leigh Griffiths (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Jamie Mackie (Nottingham Forest), Shaun Maloney (Wigan Athletic), Ross McCormack (Leeds United), Jordan Rhodes (Blackburn Rovers)
John graduated from Telford College in 2010 with an HNC in Practical Journalism and since then he worked for the North Edinburgh News, The Southern Reporter, the Irish News Review and The Edinburgh Reporter. In addition he has been published in the Edinburgh Evening News and the Hibernian FC Programme.
