KEVIN McDONALD had cause for a double celebration after he was called into Gordon Strachan’s Scotland squad for next month’s Euro 2016 Group D qualifiers against Poland and Gibraltar – and signed a new three-year deal with Wolverhampton Wanderers on the same day.

The former Dundee, Burnley and Sheffield United midfielder had one year left to run on his contract at Molineux having been the subject of interest from Championship clubs Derby County and Fulham during the summer transfer window with Wolves believed to have turned down a £2m bid for the player.

Wolves have now moved to ward off the prospect of losing McDonald for nothing next summer by tying him down to an improved contract which will extend his stay with Kenny Jackett’s side until 2018 following negotiations which at times proved tricky, not least because of a dispute over a £100,000 bonus that McDonald was due.

“It has been a long process but I am delighted we have managed to get it over the line,” said McDonald. “I’m not going to lie, I have been unsettled with all the stuff that has been going on.

“We have been working together, me, my agent, [chief executive] Jez [Moxey] and the gaffer – working towards getting the contract sorted. “I’m delighted to get it sorted and am now just looking forward to trying to get into the team and playing well.

“I’ve had a great two years here, I’ve enjoyed every minute, and didn’t want it to change. Now it’s all sorted we can move on and try and get back playing and playing well. I’ve signed a contract but now it’s done I’m not going to sit back. I want to kick on and improve each game.

“I want to play like I have done for the last couple of years and get my performances back to a high level.”

McDonald was a standout performer last season as Jackett’s side just missed out on a place in the play-offs on goal difference and it is that form that has been rewarded by Strachan with the player overlooked by the Wolves manager in recent weeks due to the uncertainty surrounding his future.

He will be one of the surprise inclusions when Strachan’s squad is announced on Monday, as a result. The 26-year-old, who has won 14 caps for the Under-21s, received his letter from the SFA yesterday confirming his selection but his only other appearance in a squad was for the qualifier against Germany, a year ago. He is determined to correct that anomaly by cementing his place in the Wolves starting line-up again.

“I don’t like being out of the team,” he said. “I could fully understand the gaffer’s reasons for that and fully respect them – that is football. Now it is sorted I want to get back playing well.”