Steve Clarke has tasked Ross Stewart with enjoying his first international call-up ahead of a friendly against Poland at Hampden Park. The Black Cats striker has been in scintillating form for his club this season and is the top goal scorer in League One.
It's been a long time coming for Stewart, but Clarke has acknowledged the pressure the 25-year-old plays under at the Stadium of Light and has no doubt he'll fare well with the national side. Scotland are without Kevin Nisbet and Lyndon Dykes for this week's clash, paving the way for Stewart's first call-up.
The Black Cats striker has come up the hard way to the international scene, being released by St. Mirren as a youngster and rebuilding his career in the lower echelons of Scottish football. Clarke has lay down the mantle for the Black Cats forward and has spoken about why he now finds himself in the international set-up
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Clarke joked: “I could say he’s an Ayrshireman and it’s always good to get another in the squad. But he’s come up the hard way, released as a kid from St Mirren and then playing in the Ayrshire juniors.
“He had quite a quick rise when he did well at Ross County, scored a few goals and got his move to Sunderland. I like the way he moves on the pitch and I like the way he scores goals.
“People might say, ‘He’s only scoring at League One level’, but you have to realise he is playing for a big club with big demands. Sunderland are definitely in the wrong league and there is always pressure at a club like that. But he’s produced the goods with the goals.
“I knew I wasn’t going to have Lyndon Dykes for this game and Kevin Nisbet has picked up a serious injury, so it was just the chance to look at another forward. The most important part is for Ross to go away from this camp and think, ‘I liked that. I want to do it again’.”
Stewart himself has revealed his delight after receiving the call from Clarke on the Black Cats team bus heading back from Lincoln City. He told SAFC: "I received the call on Saturday night when we were on the team bus heading back from Lincoln.
“Alex Neil said to me that he had spoken to Steve Clarke and that Scotland were going to call me up, explaining that he had passed on my details and that I should receive a phone call shortly. About 15 minutes later, Steve called to tell me officially and it was probably the highlight of my career so far, as I don’t think there is anything better in football than representing your country.
“The step up will allow me to get a gauge for that level and to be able to train with the other players in the Scotland squad – many of whom play in the Premier League – is going to be massive for me, as will learning from a top manager in Steve Clarke. Overall, it will be a great experience and one I’m really looking forward to.”
