A start for Scotland was a long time coming for Jacob Brown, but the forward is hoping it was just the beginning of the road to representing his country at the European Championships.
The Luton Town striker gained his eighth cap for Scotland in the 3-3 draw with Norway on Sunday evening, but it was the first time his name has featured in Steve Clarke’s starting XI.
It was a difficult shift for the 25-year-old, who only got one real sniff of goal, failing to connect with a Nathan Patterson cross just before Stuart Armstrong swept the Scots into the lead for the first time on the night.
There was no questioning his endeavour though, and given that he had been all over Europe in the preceding two years while clocking up just 94 minutes of action in total for the national side, his overall commitment to the cause is also beyond reproach.
His focus now is to ensure that he stays very much in his manager’s thoughts over the months that lie between Scotland and their next camp in March, and he hopes that if he keeps playing regularly in the English Premier League, that can only bolster his chances of making the final cut for Clarke’s 23-man squad for the European Championship.
“My confidence is high at the minute,” Brown said.
“I’m playing in the Premier League, which is another amazing experience.
“To then be coming and playing with these types of players and getting a chance to start, that is obviously a massive confidence boost.
“Everyone wants to be in the squad, so everyone is going to be working hard, and that is what we need, to just keep pushing each other.
“We’re just looking forward to it. We’ve obviously got to go back to our clubs now and do well, and then we have the next camp in March to look forward to.
“There are a lot of players around the squad and there’s more [out there] as well, so it’s a chance for us all to work hard, keep pushing each other and try to make it into the squad.
“I thought the first half probably didn’t go as well as we planned [on Sunday]. In the second half we came out a bit more and obviously got the goal to put us in the lead.
“It’s just about gaining that experience now after getting my first start and looking to improve on that.
“My first camp was around this time two years ago, and obviously, everyone wants to come and start.
“I think you’ve just got to be patient, bide your time and keep working hard, and luckily, I got the chance against Norway.
“That was my eighth appearance, but my first start, so it was good.
“It was a great feeling. I got goosebumps when I was walking out, the atmosphere was really good.
“It was something I’ve obviously been waiting for for a long time, so I’m just happy for it to finally come.
“It meant a lot for me, and I think for all the players and staff as well, having already qualified, we all wanted to end on a high and go out and win the game.
“Unfortunately, we didn’t manage that, but we put a shift in and we’re just looking forward to the Euros now.”
Prior to Clarke’s appointment, there were generations of Scotland players and supporters who couldn’t say that, and Brown acknowledges that he has seemed to time his run at international football rather well.
“I think I’ve probably fallen into the squad at a good time!” he said.
“We’ve done so well from the minute that I’ve come in, so it’s probably been quite easy for me to settle in because obviously there is positivity around the camp. Naturally, that makes it easier to fit in.
“When I get my chance, I just want to work hard and show the team that I can help in any way.”
Brown’s selfless attitude is one that is echoed throughout the squad, with the collective always coming before the individual under Clarke’s leadership.
That culture is one of the secrets of his success, according to Brown, and one of the main reasons why fringe players – like he has been – are desperate to turn up for duty time and time again, even knowing that the part they may ultimately play on the field may be fleeting.
“I don’t think he has to do much [to keep us happy] to be honest because there is a great camaraderie in the changing room,” he said.
“Everyone knows it is a big thing that if you are not starting then you need to come on and play your part, so everyone is ready, whether they are starting or not.
“Everyone gets on with each other so well too, so everyone wants to do their best for each other whether you are starting, on the bench or if you don’t come on, we all want the same thing and are pushing for it.
“Everyone is pulling in the one direction and that is the main thing, that is why we have done so well in this campaign.
“You’ve seen it in previous games, players that have come off the bench have made big impacts and that has got us points, so it’s important that everyone is ready.
“It is like a club atmosphere, that is exactly what it feels like, and I think that has been one of the main keys to the success.”
