IT has been a case of Hampden heartache for Chris Cadden twice in recent months.
If it is to become his field of dreams, the midfielder must make the most of a chance he has waited some time for.
Defeat to Celtic in the Scottish Cup final on Saturday was the final game of the campaign for many at Motherwell.
But international duty calls for Cadden and Peru and Mexico await the 21-year-old next week.
Cadden said: “I’ve been Scotland through and through, even as a little boy. When the games are on, I’ve always been a supporter.
“I was always brought up to feel that playing for Scotland and representing your country is the pinnacle of your career.
“That should be the main thing you want to do and for it to happen really is a dream come true.
“It’s a huge honour for me to be involved with the Scotland senior squad and it is going to be really something to pull on a dark blue jersey.
"It’s also for family as well. It’s something you dream of as a kid and for it to become a reality is brilliant. I’m really looking forward to be involved with it all.
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“There were a few messages last Thursday when it happened, but, to be honest, I was too wrapped up in the preparations for the Scottish Cup final to really think about it.
“I did try to take an hour out of the day to send messages back and thank people for their kind words. I also made a phone call to my mum and dad to tell them, but then the focus went onto Hampden. Now I have the chance to take it all in."
A call-up to Alex McLeish’s squad is a reward for a fine campaign in claret and amber as Cadden has gone from strength to strength for the Steelmen.
Indeed, he only has to think back 12 months to see just how far he has come as he looks to make his Scotland debut in the coming days,
He said: “When Scotland played against England at this time last year, I was down south because my girlfriend was there.
“It was the off-season, so I was down seeing her and, when the game was on, I was actually in a pub to see it.
“I was surrounded by England fans, obviously. You can’t really expect anything else when you are watching an England game in London.
“I have to admit, when Leigh Griffiths scored his first free-kick in the game to make it 1-1, I let out a little cheer.
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“But, when he scored his free-kick for Scotland to go 2-1 up near the end, I couldn’t really help myself. I lost it a bit.
“Then England went up the park and scored their goal to make it 2-2 and, I can’t pretend, they gave me a bit back.
“That was fair enough. You have to take it if you give it out.
“I couldn’t really have imagined being part of the squad going away now just a year on from that.
“All I have tried to do is concentrate on Motherwell and do as well as I can for the club. The hard work has paid-off and it’s a real honour.”
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