Lee McCulloch has thanked new Scotland boss Craig Levein for giving him a second chance with the national team.
Gers ace delighted with Scotland return
Lee McCulloch has thanked new Scotland boss Craig Levein for giving him a second chance with the national team.
The Rangers midfielder, who made himself unavailable for Scotland under former boss George Burley, has been included in Levein's first squad for next month's friendly with the Czech Republic.
McCulloch is happy to end his two-year international exile and is ready to fight for his place in Levein's side.
"I'm absolutely delighted to be back in Scotland's plans and I'd like to take this opportunity to thank Craig Levein for giving me another chance," McCulloch told the
Daily Record.
"It was one of the hardest decisions of my life when I stepped down from the national team. But I had my reasons.
"Now I'm just determined to prove Craig Levein is right to have faith in me - but I am taking nothing for granted.
"There are a lot of very good midfield players in this squad. It's up to me to impress the manager on the training field and show him I deserve to be a part of his plans for Scotland.
"I realise there is every chance I won't get into his starting 11 and I completely accept that. There are other boys who are probably ahead of me in the queue.
"But if get the chance to play in any part of next week's game I'll be thrilled.
"I didn't know if I would ever get another opportunity to win another cap for my country.
"And now it's up to me to prove to the new manager I am worth it."
Move on
McCulloch is bracing himself for a mixed reception from the Tartan Army upon his return for the national team.
"I just hope that we can draw a line in the sand now and move on," added McCulloch.
"I realise some of the fans won't be happy to see me at Hampden and I totally understand their position.
"But this is not about Lee McCulloch - this is about Scotland and a new start for the whole country.
"The manager has asked me to be a part of that and I was never ever going to turn him down.
"If I get a bit of stick from the supporters then so be it.
"But I like to think most people will understand the country is in something of a predicament at the moment.
"And the new manager has a massive job on his hands to turn us around.
"For that reason alone I would like to think we are all in it together."
