Jack Milne focused on Aberdeen amid talk of Scotland call-up

Aberdeen defender Jack Milne believes focusing on the weekly trials and tribulations of club football is the best way to realise his lifelong ambition of playing for Scotland.

Fans have been lobbying for Steve Clarke to recognise the 22-year-old after the centre-back established himself as a key player for Aberdeen.

Milne produced a highly impressive performance in Aberdeen’s Scottish Gas Scottish Cup final win over Celtic after being handed a surprise start and has built on his achievement this season.

The Aberdeen academy product has started 20 games this season, behind only goalkeeper Dimitar Mitov.

When asked about his international prospects ahead of Thursday’s Conference League encounter with Strasbourg, Milne said: “It’s always been a target since I was a kid, since I was playing for my country, but I’m just focused on playing here, playing as well as I can here, making sure I perform at the best of my abilities and see where it takes me.

“I’m pretty motivated anyway, I don’t really need extra motivation but it’s something that’s always been in my mind since I was younger, playing for my country but I’m just focusing on what’s here just now.

“It’s nice but at the same time football changes very quickly, it can be up and down. After a few bad games it can all change quickly so I just keep my head down, keep working hard and see where we end up.

“It’s been up and down this season, we had a rough start but especially recently we’ve picked up some good points and put in some good performances.

“The same goes for myself, it’s been up and down and I’ve had some good games and some bad games where I’ve had to learn and I think, from the start of the season, I’ve picked up a lot. Coaches, staff, my team-mates have all helped me and yeah I’m learning every day.”

Aberdeen will need to pull off a major shock if they are to retain hopes of qualifying for the group stages.

Jimmy Thelin’s side sit 33rd in the table with two points from four matches while unbeaten Strasbourg are second and boast an away win over Crystal Palace.

Milne, whose side travel to Sparta Prague next week, said: “As long as there’s a chance then we’ll keep believing. We know it’s going to be difficult but if we go and get three points then there’s no reason why we can’t do it in Prague and hopefully get through.”