Scotland new boy Nicky Devlin is under pressure from his own wife to make sure he is not a one cap wonder.
The Aberdeen defender has been called up by Steve Clarke for the first time for the Nations League qualifiers against Croatia and Portugal. The 30-year-old will travel with the national squad to Croatia at the weekend but his better half, Lauren, is expecting their next child next month.
Devlin, who will be cheered on by his mum, dad and younger brother, confirmed: “My wife is due 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. I will just need to try as well as I can to make sure I am in future squads.” The experienced defender has never had international recognition at any level and will be doing everything in his power to make sure that dream of a Scotland appearance becomes reality.
He said: “I had joked with my wife [previously] about being called up. Now I have been called up, I just want one cap. Get me on to the park at one point. It would mean everything. You are representing your country and it is a dream. It is the dream of millions of people to be in this position. “ won’t take it for granted and I hope to get on to the park.”
Devlin joked his biggest concern when he was called up wasn’t about making the step up but making sure his passport was up-to-date. The former Livingston star stated: “It runs out in April. 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 on your passport. I will need to get on that just in case.”
Devlin was at the Scotland v Switzerland game at Euro 2024 with one of his son’s, Josh, and now he will swap the Tartan Army to become one of Clarke’s foot soldiers. “It was a really good experience to be out there,” the Aberdeen player stated. “It was Josh and I to begin with and then we met a few people over there.
“It was the game against Switzerland when Scotland scored and to celebrate with him was a special moment for me. He comes to the games when I’m playing and I don’t get to celebrate with him. 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.”
Now for a player who started at Dumbarton, was released by Motherwell and went from Stenhousemuir, to Ayr, Walsall and Livingston could now be taking to the same pitch as the likes of Luka Modric and Cristiano Ronaldo.
He excitedly said: “They are two difficult games. I haven’t been involved in international football and I reckon every game will be difficult. Mark our analyst here is also Croatia’s analyst so the element of me being in the squad won’t be there for Croatia anymore. I am looking forward to it. They are two fantastic games and hopefully we can get results.”