Charlie Adam has admitted it will be difficult for him to break back into the Scotland side.
The Dundee-born midfielder has watched the national team’s recent rejuvenation from the sidelines, with his last appearance coming as a substitute in the loss to Serbia in Novi Sad back in March.
He subsequently missed the Scots’ superb win in Croatia, the Wembley thriller against England and the comprehensive victory over Macedonia last month.
During his absence, players like Shaun Maloney, James Morrison and Robert Snodgrass have starred in the midfield area, while there was the explosion on to the international scene of Ikechi Anya in that success in Skopje.
Adam is now fully fit, available and playing well for his club side Stoke City in the English Premier League.
Having been capped 23 times by his country, the former Rangers and Liverpool playmaker is just two away from a silver cap, awarded when you reach 25 inter-national appearances.
He would love nothing more than to feature against the Croats in the final World Cup qualifier at Hampden on Tuesday night. However, he is realistic enough to know he may have to be patient due to manager Gordon Strachan having plenty of other options.
“It is a bit up and down for me,” said Adam.
“I have not played in the last couple of games because of injury and suspension so it’s nice to come back into the squad and I will be ready if I am selected.
“The lads have been doing extremely well and when the team is winning and you are not playing it is obviously difficult to get back in the side.
“I understand that and what you hope for is that your performances at club level get you back in the team. If they don’t then all you can do is work hard.
“Hopefully, I can get a couple of games and kick on from there. It has been disappointing not to have been part of it recently but the boys have been playing well and that’s the most important thing.
“For example, Shaun Maloney has done extremely well and scored a fine goal last month against Macedonia. When that is the case there is nothing you can do other than bide your time.
“I can only sit and watch and wait to see if I get a chance.”
He may have missed out lately but Adam considers himself privileged to have played for Scotland as often as he has done.
“When you set out on your career you hope to get maybe one or two so I have been fortunate,” he said.
“To get the opportunity to do so 23 times like I have done is fantastic. If I get to 25 then that will be great but I am not there yet.”
The road to Brazil was blocked early on for Scotland. Defeats to Wales, Belgium and home draws against Serbia and Macedonia ultimately cost Craig Levein his job.
Under Strachan, there has been improvement but Adam admitted that, overall, it has been a difficult time to be a Scotland supporter.
“If you don’t qualify from any campaign then it’s disappointing,” he said. “No matter if you finish third, second or whatever in the group, if you haven’t qualified then it’s a disappointment.
“You have not been successful. The only time you can say you are happy is if you get to the tournament.
“For the last number of years it has been a disappointment for Scotland and it is up to the players here now to change that.”
Adam received a fair bit of criticism during those early matches, most notably for not tracking Gareth Bale for the last-gasp Welsh winner in Cardiff.
He is not one to hide from that, saying: “I would say that I have not played to my potential for my country on as consistent a basis as I probably should have done.
“That is probably down to the way we have played and results. You take it on the chin when you get criticism.
“I hear that in other countries some players go away after a game with the manager having not said anything. I would prefer my manager to say what he feels.
“If he feels he has to say something to shake you up a bit then that’s fine. If he doesn’t think you are playing to your capability he is going to tell you.
“I understand that. That is part and parcel of the game. You learn from criticism. Listen, there is not a player in the world who have not had any criticism from a manager.”