Wed 14 May
Time to read: 3mins
Striker speaks for the first time since being called up to the Scotland squad.
Derby County striker Chris Martin has described himself as honoured to be called up to the Scotland squad for the first time.
The 25-year-old frontman has weighed in with an impressive 25 goals for Derby this season and his form has caught the attention of Scotland boss Gordon Strachan.
Martin, who joined Derby last summer from Norwich City, qualifies for Scotland through his father and was called up to Strachan’s squad earlier this week for their friendly against Nigeria on 28th May 2014.
A step-up onto the international scene has been in the pipeline for the last few months and Martin says he is relishing the chance to make the step up.
“It is an honour for me to be honest although it has been a little while to get to this stage,” he told Rams Player.
“There was talk of me being in the last squad but clearance didn’t come from FIFA in time.
“Although it might surprise a few people, I am Scottish and it comes through my Dad, who was born in Glasgow and lived there until he was in his twenties.
“I spoke to Gordon Strachan a few times earlier this year and I’m glad he has seen enough in me to give me this opportunity.
“I am glad to get that sorted and I’m really relishing being in the squad.”
Although the chance to gain his first international cap is one Martin can’t wait for, he says his focus is very much on Derby’s Play-Off Final against Queens Park Rangers next Saturday.
After enjoying a prolific campaign in front of goal he hopes that a goal at Wembley Stadium is in the offing.
“We have a massive game for Derby first with the Play-Off Final around the corner, but this is the icing on the cake for me I guess,” he said.
“It has been a really memorable season and I’ve really enjoyed it - hopefully there are one or two more high moments to come.
“It’s nice to get the recognition of course on an individual basis but it’s also nice as a team to have played on international duty because it shows how well we’ve been doing.”
Martin will be joined in the Tartan Army squad by two Derby team-mates, with Craig Forsyth also landing a first-ever call-up alongside Craig Bryson, who has two caps to his name.
“It’s nice to have Fozzy and Bryso in the squad too; it will be good to have a few familiar faces around me,” Martin added.
“Hopefully we can show everyone that we all deserve to be in there.
“Fozzy has been magnificent and grown as a player and Bryso, as we have said many times before, has had a great season.”
Watch more from Chris Martin in an exclusive interview on Rams Player.
