Thursday 12 May 2016 18:57, UK
Barrie McKay said he is a proud man after the Rangers winger was called into the Scotland squad for the first time.
The 21-year-old admitted he was hoping his spectacular goal and impressive display in the Scottish Cup semi-final win over Celtic would give him a chance of catching Gordon Strachan's eye for the upcoming matches against Italy and France.
McKay, who has been named in the squad alongside team-mate Lee Wallace, was out of the Scotland U21 set-up for almost three years before being recalled this season after making a huge impact under Mark Warburton following an uninspiring loan spell with Raith Rovers last term.
"I am delighted, it is great, I have played through all the levels and to be recognised at the first-team level, and from Gordon as well, is a really proud moment for me," he told Rangers' official website.
"This is a big moment in my career and if you looked back a year you wouldn't have thought this would be happening to me, I was out on loan and it shows what a difference a year can make.
"I thought there was always a chance I could get in after the Celtic game, I went out and performed at a higher level and it was always going to give me a chance. If that chance came then it came but if it didn't then I wouldn't be too disappointed in it with the season that I have had."
McKay, who is hoping to add a Scottish Cup final win to Rangers' Championship title and Challenge Cup success this season, is now eager for the chance to test himself against some of the best players on the continent.
"I have played at all age groups but you want to be playing at the highest level possible and we're going to be playing against top quality opposition," he added.
"They will be getting ready for their Euro campaign so it will be good to be able to test ourselves against the best in Europe and it will be a good challenge for myself as well.
"It will be brilliant to say you have played against those nations and some of the players they have so it will be quite an experience for me."
