Rhodes unfazed by expectation

BY the midpoint of the second half the Tartan Army had had enough of the stalemate between Scotland and Serbia. They wanted someone to break the deadlock, and they knew who that someone was.

“Jordan Rhodes, Jordan Rhodes, Jordan Rhodes,” they chanted. Quarter of an hour later, they got their wish, and the Blackburn striker replaced Kenny Miller.

With only ten minutes on the field in his first competitive international, the 22-year-old had little chance to make an impact. But he appeared delighted and honoured to have played even a small part in the goalless draw. “I was aware of the fans chanting my name and it was very flattering,” he said. “I don’t know what the time was when I came on - it all seemed to rush by so quickly.

“I enjoyed every second I was on the field, I had never played at Hampden before and it was fantastic.

“I was just happy to be here. It was a fantastic feeling to be in the Scotland squad. I just got my head down, tried to be enthusiastic and show a good attitude, and tried to pick up a few tips about what was happening in the game and where their weaknesses were.”

There will be calls for Rhodes to be given far more time off the bench against Macedonia tomorrow night, or even start the match. But he insisted they will not be coming from him, and he would give his all no matter how big or small a role he was given.

“Playing for Scotland is a huge privilege, and any time spent on the field is a massive bonus for me.,” he said. “Whether the manager calls on me for 90 minutes or one minute or even 30 seconds I will give it 100 per cent and hopefully do well for the team.”

A great deal is expected of Rhodes given his free-scoring record at club level and his goal in last month’s friendly against Australia, But he has a very easygoing disposition, and looks unlikely to be affected by expectation.

“I just try to do my best and hopefully that will be good enough come the end of the 90 minutes,” he said. “I’ll just take things as they come and try not to put too much pressure on myself.

“I try not to beat myself up too much about things, because I don’t think you can put your best foot forward and play as well as you can under immense pressure.”