Paul Paton insists he is fully focused on doing well for new club St Johnstone – and if he succeeds in that aim, there is a chance he could earn a recall to the Northern Ireland squad.
The 29-year-old, who joined Saints from Dundee United last month, travelled to Paris before starting pre-season training to watch Michael O’Neill’s side in Euro 16 action against Germany.
The Northern Irish lost out 1-0 but Paton admitted it was still a fantastic experience being there and it whetted his appetite to work his way back into international reckoning.
The midfielder, who was speaking at Saints’ pre-season training camp in Belfast, said: “I was over in Paris watching the Northern Ireland v Germany game.
“It was great to be there just a few days before I came back for pre-season.
“It was an unbelievable experience and the Northern Ireland fans were brilliant.
“I didn’t see one hint of trouble, everyone was having a good laugh.
“The fans were mixing with the German supporters just having a really good time.
“I feel really privileged to have three caps.
“I knew it was going to be difficult to get into the final squad – I was going to have to rely on a couple of injuries.
“Michael took me aside after the March meet-up and told me I had done well.
“I wouldn’t say I was disappointed to miss out.
“But I still wanted to be there to show my support for the nation.
“It was a privilege to be involved in some of the qualifying games and while I wanted to be in the squad, I didn’t expect to be.”
When asked if moving to St Johnstone would possibly provide him with a platform to get back into the Northern Ireland set-up, Paton said: “Of course but it is up to me.
“If I am playing well, then I will be involved in squads again.
“If I am not doing well for the club, then I won’t be getting international recognition.
“That’s my only focus – to come to the club and try to play as many games as I can.
“I think you should be spurred on every day in your career.
“Whether it is for you or your family, you should always drive yourself on.
“It is something I have always done whether it was in the Third Division with Queen’s Park, the First Division with Partick Thistle or the Premiership – every day I have tried to get better.”
Paton admitted he is settling in well at his new club and he cannot wait for the season to start after fully recovering from a knee injury that kept him out for much of the last campaign.
He said: “I knew a lot of the boys from playing against them.
“Before I joined the club, I knew they had a great team spirit and they make every new player feel really welcome as I have found out.
“It was a good summer for me and I have had plenty of rest.
“I have been doing my exercises as well because of my previous injury.
“It feels good now so I am reaping the rewards.”
Paton is fully aware though that he cannot take anything for granted at McDiarmid as midfield is an undoubted area of strength for Saints with loads of competition for places.
He said: “There are a lot of good midfielders at the club which can only be good for St Johnstone.
“Lads will be fighting for their places with everyone driving each other on to hopefully have another successful season.”
