On-loan Hibernian striker Leigh Griffiths capped a fine season by being called up to the Scotland squad on Tuesday for next month’s 2014 World Cup qualifier against Croatia.
There were also first call-ups for Celtic youngster Tony Watt and Dundee United midfielder Stuart Armstrong, as well as Gordon Greer of Brighton and Hove Albion and Aberdeen’s Ryan Jack.
Griffiths, who is on loan from Wolverhampton Wanderers, made his international debut in a friendly against Luxembourg in November and picked up several end-of-season awards after netting 23 times in the league for Hibs this term.
“Over the last couple of seasons he has decided he wants to improve and get better, and he has done that,” said Scotland manager Gordon Strachan.
“People can help you on your way to become better, but your career is entirely in your own hands. At this moment he is shaping a good career.
“He was unfortunate — he was very close to being in the squad the last time. This time he has achieved that.”
Veteran striker Kenny Miller, now of the Vancouver Whitecaps, missed out on a place in the squad due to a hamstring problem.
“Kenny has been injured for over a month with a hamstring problem,” Strachan said.
“I spoke to Kenny last week and it would be better for him to rest his hamstring because he could come over here and there’s no guarantee that he would play.
“We will see him in the next squad and he’s happy with that.”
Scotland tackle Croatia in Zagreb on June 7 but their hopes of qualifying from Group A have already been dashed.
Scotland squad to face Croatia in World Cup qualifying Group A on June 7:
Goalkeepers: Matt Gilks (Blackpool/ENG), David Marshall (Cardiff City/WAL), Allan McGregor (Besiktas/TUR)
Defenders: Gary Caldwell (Wigan Athletic/ENG), Danny Fox (Southampton/ENG), Gordon Greer (Brighton and Hove Albion/ENG), Grant Hanley (Blackburn Rovers/ENG), Alan Hutton (Real Mallorca/ESP), Russell Martin (Norwich City/ENG), Lee Wallace (Rangers), Andy Webster (Hearts), Steven Whittaker (Norwich City/ENG)
Midfielders: Stuart Armstrong (Dundee United), Liam Bridcutt (Brighton and Hove Albion/ENG), Scott Brown (Celtic), Chris Burke (Birmingham City/ENG), Craig Conway (Cardiff City/WAL), James Forrest (Celtic), Ryan Jack (Aberdeen), Gary Mackay-Steven (Dundee United), James McArthur (Wigan Athletic/ENG), James Morrison (West Bromwich Albion/ENG), Steven Naismith (Everton/ENG), Robert Snodgrass (Norwich City/ENG)
Forwards: Leigh Griffiths (Hibernian, on loan from Wolverhampton Wanderers/ENG), Shaun Maloney (Wigan Athletic/ENG), Jordan Rhodes (Blackburn Rovers/ENG), Tony Watt (Celtic)
Hibs striker Griffiths gets Scotland call-up
