Ryan Gauld believes he has plenty more to show with the Scotland Under-21s after being handed his debut in the 1-1 draw against Georgia.
The Dundee United playmaker was called into the squad after a string of fine performances for his club. The 17-year-old was then thrust straight into the side for Thursday’s European Championship qualifier in Paisley.
While U21s manager Billy Stark was full of praise for his performance, a modest Gauld believes he probably only earned pass marks on the night but insists he can do better.
He said: “I was delighted to get my first start for the Under-21s. It was against a good team so it was a good experience for me.
“I think I coped OK. I know I can do better but it wasn’t too bad for a first game.”
Gauld admits he did not expect to see his name on the team-sheet, adding: “I was very surprised. I wasn’t even expecting to be in the squad.
“To be in the starting line-up, I was very happy about that. I just tried to play my best.”
He says he was helped by the presence of United club-mates Andrew Robertson and Stuart Armstrong.
The young Scots fought back from behind to rescue a point when Callum Paterson came off the bench to cancel out Georgi Chanturia’s opener with a late leveller.
The result allowed Stark’s side to remain level with Georgia on seven points, with joint leaders Holland and Slovakia tied on 10 points.
Gauld said: “It was what we deserved, especially with the way we played in the second half. It was good to come away with at least a point because we would have been devastated if it was 1-0 to Georgia.
“We could have done with a win and another three points, but at least we didn’t get beat. We are still level with Georgia and we’ve just got to look to the next game now.
“If we had won, we would have been just off the top and that’s disappointing. But we’re not out of it yet.”