Motherwell midfielder Harry Paton is determined to seize his latest chance for Canada after a false start to his international career.
The uncapped 25-year-old has been named in the squad to face Japan in a friendly in Niigata on October 13.
“It’s amazing,” he said. “It’s a great feeling. To be able to represent your country is a dream of mine.
“I had a small sniff of it before when I was called up for the Gold Cup. I didn’t get my first cap but I am looking forward to hopefully getting my first cap and playing for my country.”
That experience in the United States in 2021 proved to be a frustrating one for the then Ross County midfielder.
“It was a tough one for me,” Paton said. “It was kind of at the peak of Covid. I travelled down there and I ended up getting Covid when I landed. I had to do my isolation.
“I trained with them when I was out but I was only fit for the quarter-finals and semi-finals so it would have been a big ask to throw me straight in.
“But I still got a good feel for what they want and felt like I showed myself well there.
“I just want to kick on and hopefully I can keep my place in the squad and move forward.”
Paton goes into Saturday’s cinch Premiership clash at Livingston on a good run of form after shaking off a niggle following re-signing for the club ahead of the new season.
“When I came in I had a small groin injury which set me back a little bit,” he said. “But I worked with the staff and cheers to them for getting me back fit and ready.
“I have been trying to get that consistency. I feel really fit just now and I have been enjoying my football.”