I was watching with my son when McTominay scored at Euros – now he’s a team mate

NICKY DEVLIN celebrated Scott McTominay’s goal against Switzerland at Euro 2024 in the stands with son Josh.

Yet on Saturday, at the age of 31, the Aberdeen defender could be lining up beside the Napoli star as Scotland take on Croatia.

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Devlin admits he was as surprised as anyone to discover he was being drafted into Steve Clarke’s squad.

With regular right-backs Aaron Hickey and Nathan Patterson still crocked, he has been rewarded for his fine start to the season with the Dons, who are on an incredible 13-game winning streak.

After scoring in Sunday’s 3-2 win against Hearts at a packed Pittodrie, he will report for training with Scotland.

Getting on the pitch for just one minute in the clash in Zagreb would be a dream come true for the patriotic Scot.

Devlin said: “It was a really good experience to be out there at the Euros in Germany.

“It was Josh and I to begin with and then we met a few people over there.

“I was at the game against Switzerland when Scotland scored, and to celebrate with my son was such a special moment for me.

“Josh comes to the games when I’m playing and I don’t get to celebrate with him. So that was brilliant.

“When I was over there it was phenomenal. It is a bit surreal that I might now be involved. It is something I will tackle head on and embrace it.

“I found out from members of the staff at Aberdeen before the squad was announced.

“A few of them told me there was a chance it could happen because they had asked for my medical details, to check everything was up to date.

“It was a bit of a surreal moment when I heard.

“I had joked with my wife about being called up. Now I have been, I just want one cap.

“Get me out on the park at one point.

“It would mean everything to me. You are representing your country and it is a dream.

“It is the dream of millions of people to be in this position.

“I won’t take it for granted and I hope to get on the park against Croatia.”

Devlin had a heart-in-mouth moment shortly after his call-up when he initially feared his passport wasn’t up to date.

All is well however, and he’ll be backed in Croatia by almost all of the Devlin clan.

He added: “My passport runs out in April next year.

“I need to get a new one sorted and I had a panic last week, because I knew it was expiring, and you need to have at least three months still on your passport.

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“I will need to get on that, just in case!

“My mum, dad and wee brother are booked up. They are looking forward to it.

“It is an experience which you never know if it will come again, so they were desperate to get on a plane to get out there for the game.

“My wife is due to give birth in the middle of November so she isn’t able to fly anymore.

“She is a bit disappointed, because she never got to any of the European away games last season either.

“I will just need to try as well as I can to make sure I am in future squads.”

Devlin knows he wouldn’t have been in gaffer Clarke’s thoughts without impressing at Pittodrie first.

It’s been a long journey to the national team for the former Livingston ace, given he was turning out for Stenhousemuir in League Two just over a decade ago.

Back then the prospect of playing for Scotland was wishful thinking. On Saturday, against Luka Modric and Co, it could become reality.

Having tried to stay focused for Sunday’s win over Hearts, now it’s full steam ahead in a bid for a first cap over this international break with Portugal at Hampden next Tuesday.

Devlin said: “It’s been brilliant at Aberdeen, those are the only words to describe it.

“If you are a football player then this is the kind of level you want to get to.

“The call-up was brilliant, but my focus was on the Hearts game and we were able to win that one. That was great.

“I know if I am not playing well for the team, and Aberdeen aren’t doing well, then you are not going to be in the squad.

“The first focus was to start winning games again at the start of the season. We kept winning them, and obviously you put yourself in the window where the Scotland manager can notice you.

“If I had said come September I want to be in the Scotland squad, then I would be lying.

“But when you start the season as well as we have it becomes a possibility.

“I have been able to get in this time and now it’s about making the most of it.

“They are two difficult games. I haven’t been involved in international football and I reckon it will be a challenge.

“Hopefully we get good results.”

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