George Boyd relishing fresh Scotland chance

Boyd, on loan at Hull City from Peterborough, thought his career in dark blue was up and running when he scored for Scotland B in a 3-0 win over their Northern Ireland counterparts in August 2009.

However, the 27-year-old did not hear another word from north of the border until the arrival of new manager Gordon Strachan, who had tried to sign him when he was boss at Middlesbrough.

Boyd, who was born in England but who qualifies for Scotland through his grandfather, is looking to get an opportunity to impress in the Group A World Cup qualifier against the Welsh.

Breakthrough

He said: “I was disappointed that I didn’t make the breakthrough earlier, I thought I did quite well in the B game but for one reason or another it didn’t work out but I am delighted to be here.

“You do think that (the chance passed you by) but you try to keep going and with the move to Hull and going for the Premiership it puts you in the spotlight a bit more so it has been good.

“I think he (Strachan) tried to sign me when I was at Peterborough and he was at Middlesbrough but for some reason that didn’t happen, I think Peterborough wanted a bit too much money.

“I am just delighted that he has given me the chance to show what I can do here.

“It is nice that he showed interest in me earlier so he must like me as a player, but I just kept my head down and kept playing well for Peterborough and now Hull and finally it has happened.

“He just told me to enjoy the week’s training and see what happens.”