Hibs defender Lewis Stevenson says that it is a massive honour to be called-up to the Scotland team for their friendlies against Peru and Mexico.
The left-back has been in excellent form this season and has played a significant role in the club’s record points haul.
The news came as a surprise to Stevenson and he claims that it has always been his dream to play for the national side.
The only Hibs’ player to have won two major cups with the club, Stevenson started the season with a testimonial match against Sunderland and he proved his generosity with large donations to charity from the proceeds.
The popular Fifer told Hibernian Media: “It is a massive honour to be called-up and involved in the national team. It is something I never thought would happen and it is something that in my head I’d given up on achieving.
“I did always dream about playing for Scotland, even though I know there are top quality left-backs still available to play and be called-up I am just delighted to be involved.
“There comes a point when it doesn’t even cross your mind about getting a Scotland call-up. I must’ve been doing something right this season to be involved and it is something I feel proud about.
“If I am called upon in the matches, I’ll try my best to help out the team.”
“I am 30 years old now, so it has come as a surprise. I’ve been involved in Scotland set-ups at youth level when I was younger.
“The last time I was in an under-21s squad was about ten years ago! I am sure it is still similar going for international duty where you have to live and breathe football.
“Playing all those years ago has probably given me the experience of what to expect and anything new I will look to adapt quickly.
“I’ll be eager to grasp the opportunity with both hands, but I’m under no illusions that there are top quality left-backs throughout the country that couldn’t make this squad, however, I’ll be trying my best when I pull on the Scotland jersey.”
“I owe it to the team. If the team were maybe languishing down the bottom of the table then I maybe wouldn’t have got this chance.
“A lot of the players at the club have made my job a lot easier at times, which has helped this year as we all work hard to make sure we cover for any mistakes that are made.
“It is nice having some familiar faces in the squad as it’ll make it a bit easier to bed in as it can be a bit like going to a new job and not knowing anyone.
“I’m sure I will know a few people from my time in the game as well, but having team-mates in the squad is a positive as it shows how well we have done as a team this season and I think it’s been a while since we had that many players called-up into the Scotland squad.”
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.
