Barrie McKay insists he’s happy putting chances on a plate for his Hearts team-mates – and hopes continuing to do so will serve up a Scotland call.
The Jambos ace is still waiting for his first goal in 26 appearances since moving back north of the border.
But he climbed further in the Premiership assists table, behind only James Tavernier, Tony Ralston and Paul McMullan, by doing the legwork for Ellis Simms’ crucial opener in Saturday’s win over 10-man St Mirren.
In front of watching Scotland boss Steve Clarke, McKay – who won his solitary cap against France back in 2016 – was in superb form and could have had four assists had his team-mates had their shooting boots firmly on.
As it was, the two-goal victory against a Buddies side severely hampered by the 22nd-minute dismissal of Connor Ronan was enough to open up an 11-point gap in third place.
Cammy Devlin netted his first goal for the Jambos to seal the points and McKay said: “Everyone wants to be the team’s most creative player and that’s something I take pride in.
“When I first came here it was all about building relationships and now I feel I’ve established a really good one with Liam Boyce.
“We create chances for each other and it’s about adding to that.
“I’m still waiting for my first goal and, the longer that goes on, the more I’ll probably think about it. But as long as I’m setting them up for the others I won’t worry about it too much.
“The most important thing is I’m influencing games and helping the team. Cammy got his first goal and even Craig Gordon said to me, ‘You’re next.’
“I’ll keep trying to get into the right positions and I’m sure the goals will come.”
McKay will have his work cut out trying to break into Clarke’s squad given the strength of depth in the wide areas. But he must still have caught the national manager’s eye with another dazzling display.
He said: “Everyone wants to play for their country and, if it came along, I’d be buzzing about it but I just need to play away with Hearts.
“It was one of the reasons I came here. The manager told me I had to push for that place. The only way that will happen is if I do well consistently.
“If you ask any player, the most important factor is playing regularly and maybe I didn’t get enough games down south.
“But I’m enjoying my football now and enjoying creating chances for the boys.
“After a few defeats, we needed a reaction. We have a lot still to play for this season, including the Scottish Cup, but we take it one game at a time.”
Hearts deserved the points but new St Mirren boss Stephen Robinson will be cursing his luck on his Paisley dugout debut.
Ronan’s 22nd-minute red card came after he went in high on Beni Baningime although there was no malice in the challenge.
Ref Greg Aitken took an age to produce the red – possibly on the advice of fourth official John Beaton – with the majority of the crowd expecting a yellow.
Saints also had a decent penalty shout turned down soon after.
By that point McKay had already played in Boyce twice only for the Northern Irishman to fire wide with the first chance then be thwarted by a point-blank Jak Alnwick save at the second.
The Buddies’ fury over the red card was further stoked when Alex Greive went down in the box under a clumsy Nathaniel Atkinson challenge only for Aitken to wave away appeals.
Saints were digging deep but it took a wonder save from Alnwick to keep the score level after 54 minutes when Stephen Kingsley’s cross from the left found Boyce, eight yards out and his side-foot volley was blocked at point-blank range by the Englishman.
At that point it looked like the Paisley men could hold out for a point on Robinson’s debut.
But substitute Simms finally broke Saints’ resistance after 64 minutes. McKay tore down the flank before firing in a low cross that was missed by Charles Dunne.
Simms’ first effort was well saved by Alnwick but the Englishman made no mistake with the follow-up.
Three minutes later Devlin won possession before feeding Baningime whose through ball released Simms. Alnwick saved his first effort and took a heavy knock on the face in doing so but Devlin followed up to knock home.
Simms had another effort turned on to the bar by Alnwick but two was enough.
