Charlie Adam insisted it wasn’t his wonder strike that won him his place back in the Scotland squad.
The Dundonian midfielder has returned to the international fold for tomorrow’s friendly against Qatar and the big one the Euro 2016 qualifier against the Republic of Ireland in Dublin a week on Saturday.
Adam last turned out for his country on March 5 of last year in a friendly in Poland so the talented midfielder has spent a while out of the picture.
The Stoke City man hasn’t exactly stayed quiet in the meantime, though, and his incredible goal from 65 yards against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge two months ago caught the imagination and attention of football fans across the world.
Adam, though, thinks it is too simplistic to say that is what earned him a recall from national coach Gordon Strachan.
“I wouldn’t say that goal has got me back into the national team but, listen, it gives you the profile,” he said.
“I wouldn’t say I am in the squad purely because I scored that goal, though.
“I scored another five or six before the end of the season and the thing is I am in a Stoke team that is playing well in a top league.
“I played in the last 10 or 12 games and I must have played well enough when he (Strachan) was watching to get back in.
“I am happy to be here and looking forward to these games.”
Adam insisted he doesn’t go searching for chances to score out-of-the-ordinary goals.
“I wouldn’t even say I go looking for it but if there is an opportunity then I will try it,” he said.
“You know, I am happier scoring a six-yarder than one from 60, 70 yards.
“It doesn’t matter and just scoring any goal gives you a great feeling as a player.
“Fortunately enough for me it happened against one of the best teams in the country on Sky TV and that was why there was such big media attention.
“It was one of those things that happened and I was delighted that it was me that scored it.
“I am the kind of player, though, who sees it as gone now and I am looking to the future.
“What I would love is to be scoring a few goals for Scotland between now and when the campaign is over and try to kick on next season as well.”
Kicking on will include, Adam hopes, inclusion in a national side that had made it to the finals of Euro 2016 in France.
He added: “With every squad that was announced, I was disappointed I wasn’t in because I want to part of this.
“I have said before that the one thing is that, come next summer when we have qualified, it would be hard sitting on the couch watching the games.
“I want to be part of it and want to be in the squad.
“I can only do that by being here and performing well in games.”