Rangers star savours maiden Scotland call-up after candid admission over international hopes
Rangers defender in disbelief as he reacts to earning first international recognition
James Penrice has described his first Scotland call-up as an “incredibly proud” moment, admitting that representing his country was not an achievement he had envisaged during the early years of his career.
The Rangers defender was left stunned after learning of his inclusion in Sebastien Pocognoli’s latest squad for the upcoming Nations League double-header with North Macedonia and Switzerland only minutes before heading out for training.
The unexpected confirmation that left him struggling to comprehend the personal significance of the milestone, with the versatile 27-year-old rewarded for a string of consistent performances since arriving at Ibrox on a season-long loan from Greek side AEK Athens.
Returning to Scottish football in the summer, the former Partick Thistle, Livingston and Hearts star has been an integral part of Rangers progress under Derek McInnes, making 14 appearances and scoring on his debut against St Mirren. He also provided a crucial assist in last Saturday’s Premier Sports Cup semi-final victory over Aberdeen.
And Penrice was quick to acknowledge the contribution of his teammates, recognising the dressing room influence in helping him reach a position where international selection became a distinct possibility.
“I found out five minutes before I came out [for training] and just went ‘oh my god unreal’,” Penrice told Rangers TV. “Incredibly proud. I have waited a wee while, but I knew coming back to Scotland, coming to Rangers, it would help my cause. So it's credit to the boys in there as well. They've helped me incredibly and I'm just buzzing.”
Penrice revealed that, earlier in his career, he had not considered representing Scotland a realistic prospect. His selection is an endorsement of the progress made since joining Rangers, where he has established himself as a first-team regular.
Penrice soaks in ‘incredibly proud moment’
He confessed: “It's a weird feeling because I don't ever think going through the early part of my career that I would ever be called up. But it's happened now so I'm just delighted.
“It's an incredibly proud moment for me and my family. They will be buzzing, my phone will probably be going off, it's nuts. I'll have hundreds of missed calls now from my mum asking why I never told her! But I'm just buzzing.”
Penrice will now look ahead to the prospect of making his national team debut when Scotland host League B1 bottom side North Macedonia at Hampden on Friday, 13 November before travelling to St Gallen to face group leaders Switzerland three days later.
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