Dundee’s Scott Bain ditched Oz trip for Scotland

The Dundee goalkeeper was all geared up to head Down Under to be with his girlfriend, Erin, at the end of an outstanding first season in the top flight,  before national boss Gordon Strachan handed him his first call-up for next month’s double-header with Qatar and the Republic of Ireland.

Bain, 23, has been in fabulous form between the sticks for the Dark Blues and has been rewarded for his displays with a first foray into the international scene to replace Hull City’s Allan McGregor, who is rested.

Bain said: “I found out when the manager phoned me on Sunday, the day before it was announced.

“It was a bit of a shock. I didn’t really expect it because I didn’t know what was going on with Allan McGregor and you never know where you are in the pecking order.

“I haven’t really been playing. I’ve been trying to get over this injury so it was all a bit of a shock to me. I’m just doing everything I can to get fit for the games.

“I had a holiday booked to Australia for the end of the season, so I will have to cancel that.

“My girlfriend Erin is over in Perth, so I was going to see her for three weeks. She will be disappointed. I might not have a girlfriend anymore. No, she’s delighted for me, but is disappointed that I can’t go over.

“I can’t even push the holiday back because she comes back at the start of July, so there is no point. I won’t be done with Scotland until the middle of June.”

Bain has enjoyed a remarkable rise having been shown the door by former club Aberdeen in 2011 which led to a successful spell at Alloa before Dundee manager Paul Hartley took him to Dens Park last summer.

The Edinburgh-born keeper believes being axed by the Dons has turned out to be a blessing in disguise as it made him more determined to escape his day job as a labourer.

He said: “It sounds bad but I was definitely surprised when I got released by Aberdeen. But to be honest, it was probably the best thing for me to go and play games. I played about 100 for Alloa in three years and wouldn’t have got them had I stayed at Aberdeen. That allowed me to come back to full-time football with Dundee and make the step up with a lot more ease.

“I was labouring for the first two years at Alloa. They were tough times – long days and long nights but obviously it was worth it.

“It was tough but I’m glad I did it. It’s given me everything I have at this moment. It made me more determined to get where I wanted to be.”