George Hirst admits his World Cup call-up did not seem real until he met up with his Scotland team-mates on Tuesday.
The Ipswich striker made Steve Clarke’s 26-man squad last week. “I was ecstatic,” the 27-year-old said.
“I found out 45 minutes before the rest of the world did. I was actually golfing in Portugal with a couple of mates at the time and had a putt for birdie and ended up making double (bogey).
“I couldn’t quite contain my excitement, even on the golf course. I couldn’t believe it. It was a dream for me when you’re a kid, to go to a World Cup as a footballer, and for the manager to give me that opportunity, I’ll be forever grateful.”
Hirst, who has scored once in eight internationals since making his debut last year, had feared for his place. “There was definitely a world where I was in the squad, there was a world where I wasn’t,” he said. “I wasn’t naive to that fact.
“In the March camp, I had conversations with the manager, pretty honest conversations. For the end of the season, it was just for me to do as much as possible at Ipswich and show why I deserve to be on the plane to America.
“You never know what other people are thinking. For me, it was just a massive relief and a really proud moment when that email finally came through. The last week’s been a bit weird. It’s not really sunk in and felt like it’s actually happening. I’ve got this email and it’s like, right, is it actually real?
“As soon as I got here, it was like, okay, now this is real and it’s go time. I just can’t contain my smile, can’t contain myself expressing how happy I am to be here.”
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There was fierce competition to join established strike pair Che Adams and Lyndon Dykes on the plane.
Lawrence Shankland also looked a certainty after hitting 20 goals for Hearts and netting in the decisive qualifier against Denmark; Middlesbrough forward Tommy Conway earned a recall in March; while Hull striker Oli McBurnie and Southampton’s Ross Stewart had resurgent seasons.
Conway missed out through injury, McBurnie missed the cut and Stewart edged his way in front of midfielder Lennon Miller. “There were obviously games where I didn’t score and then you look on Sky Sports and someone else did and you’re like…. I won’t say it,” Hirst said.
“I try and do the best job possible, whether that’s scoring goal, whether that’s getting an assist, whether that’s just running as much as possible, depending on the game and what the game needs. I’m not the striker that’s bogged down by if I don’t score, I’ve had a bad game.
“I’m very aware of what I can offer and what I can bring to any team that I can play in. For me, it was just about really focusing in on that and putting in performances that I can be proud of.
“I’m my own harshest critic, so if I can be proud of a performance I put in on a Saturday, then in my head I’ve no doubt that anyone else could be as well.”
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