Robert Earnshaw cites his month-long stay in Greenock as the turning point of a burgeoning career.

The Zambian-born striker will earn his 10th cap for Wales against Scotland this evening and the 22-year-old took the opportunity to offer a fond recollection of his time with Morton. Earnshaw was signed on a three-month loan deal by the then Cappielow manager, Ian McCall, after failing to force his way into the Cardiff City first team. His bustling style soon won the approval of his new audience, but his goalscoring exploits prompted a swift return to Wales.

This season, he emerged as a Rangers transfer target, until a (pounds) 4m fee ended Alex McLeish's interest, and is now spearheading City's push for a Premiership play-off place. Changed days indeed.

''I was only 17 at the time but it was a great experience,'' he recalled. ''I was staying above a pub and there were some crazy goings-on there.

''It was the first time I had seen snow, and the first time I did my somersault celebration, so I have a lot of happy memories. It was a shame I could not have stayed for longer but I had scored a few goals at Morton and Cardiff brought me back and put me straight into the team.

''I heard about the [Rangers] interest and you can never predict anything in football but I really love playing for Cardiff.''

Meanwhile, Scotland striker Kenny Miller has been identified as the main threat to Wales by the club-mate who hopes to foil him. The Wolves striker is expected to win his ninth cap and is likely to be up against another Molineux man, goalkeeper Paul Jones.

''He is very dangerous and we have got to be aware of that,'' said Jones. ''From what I have seen in training and the games we have played he has certainly got that ability.

''He has been unfortunate that in the last few games he has played a little bit deeper because of injuries, but he is certainly a goal threat.''