Determined Lewis Morgan is hell-bent on making a return to the Scotland squad as he makes the most of his Stateside adventure.
The 25-year-old turned heads at Inter Miami and has made a flying start at New York Red Bulls with a hat-trick in the thumping 4-1 win over Toronto.
He's established himself as a bonafide Major League Soccer star and hosts serious ambitions to earn a place in Steve Clarke's squad.
The winger has been on the outside looking in with the national team for two years but he feels primed for a return at international level with Scotland.
Speaking to Sky Sports, he said: "Personally, I always want to be the best player in the league. It was my mindset last year and although it didn't really transpire that way it doesn't change my opinion this year.
"Being a forward player you always want to get double figures for goals and assists.
"And I think playing well here and trying to get myself back into the Scotland national team is the big aim for this year, but that's only going to happen if I play well for Red Bulls.
"That's the biggest honour a player could have. My two caps were in friendlies but it's still the biggest honour that I've had in my career so times that by 100 - if you're going to be representing your country at the World Cup. It's every boy's dream growing up in Scotland.
"So that would be fantastic but I've got to make sure every single week I'm performing here to give myself the best possible chance and I fully intend on doing that."
Morgan has sparked a career resurgence since leaving Celtic in 2021, however, he holds no ill will over his inconsistent spell after being signed by Brendan Rodgers in 2018.
But he does admit his injury woes were the one thing he could go back and change during his time in Glasgow's east end.
"At Celtic I was still getting to play a part in the squad but mostly I was playing as a 9 - up front myself. Probably wasn't showing myself in the best light. I didn't really get the rub of the green or the bounce of the ball when I went to Celtic, with injuries and what not.
"I just wanted to get away and somewhere where I was going to play more often. All credit to Celtic that we had such a strong squad that no-one is guaranteed that, but I did want to get somewhere where I knew I was going to play my own role more consistently. And I just thought for the benefit of my career that I left.
"The only thing that I wish was different were the injuries. When I went to Celtic I was flying - that first season with the Champions League qualifiers I felt brilliant. Then after having knee surgery I didn't get my rhythm back for a while. There's nothing I can do about it now. I still got to play in big games - Champions League, Europa League, cup finals.
"When you look at it like that there's still positives for me to take although I didn't perform how I wanted to perform. Everything happens for a reason and now I'm here and I'm enjoying my football - there's no hard feelings or nothing towards it.
"After having surgery - especially on your knee - it's tough to get that rhythm again. And when you are at a club like Celtic where you're not going to be afforded five, six, seven games on the spin to get your knee feeling 100 per cent.
"I think I knew once I got back to playing regular football I knew I would start playing well and I hope that continues."
