Callum McGregor says he's ready to step up for his country
Callum McGregor believes his recent Scotland experience was "massive" for his development despite still awaiting his first cap - and he knows Saturday's Hampden trip could be another big step in his career.
The Celtic midfielder earned his second international call-up - after a three-year gap - when he was a late addition to the squad for October's World Cup double header against Slovakia and Slovenia.
The 24-year-old did not feature as Scotland fell just short of making the play-offs but he is determined to keep performing for Celtic and keep himself in the reckoning.
"It was massive," said McGregor ahead of the Betfred Cup semi-final against Hibernian.
"Obviously you want to be at the top international level as a player. You want to learn all the time and take things from other people's game into your game. Just being there and taking in that experience is going to make you a better player.
"The experience is invaluable so to be taking it into my game and hopefully try to break in some time soon, I need to be putting in the performances for Celtic.
"My main priority is to do well for Celtic and you certainly want to play in these big games and do well. It's just taking it step by step and hopefully getting there."
McGregor sat on the bench for both games as former Scotland boss Gordon Strachan continued with the likes of Barry Bannan, James Morrison and James McArthur, but the midfielder now has the chance to impress caretaker boss Malky Mackay ahead of next month's friendly against Holland.
"Gordon trusted his players and that's totally understandable," McGregor said. "He had a way of playing and that was it.
"I was delighted to be in the squad and learn from that experience again and just keep kicking on. Maybe that game against Holland will be a good opportunity for me if I put the performances in to get there. Hopefully that will be the start of it.
"You have got to prove yourself every time you step on to the pitch. That's the nature of being at such a big club like Celtic and playing at this level."
McGregor had gone into the international break on form having scored twice in the 2-2 draw against Hibs that maintained Celtic's unbeaten domestic record under Brendan Rodgers, which now stands at 59 matches.
"Going into the game you don't think about it so much," McGregor said. "But when you go down in games or go level, you can sense 'right we don't want to let this slip' and it galvanises the players, and you give that bit extra to make sure the run doesn't go.
"When they scored their second goal you look about and think 'this could be the day' but the strength of the squad and the character of the boys came through and we got the equaliser.
"They're a good side. We knew that anyway going into the game but they caused us problems. The game could have gone either way so we need to guard against that and prepare properly for this one.