CHRISTOPHE Berra insists he was "born ready" to make his Scotland debut against Croatia in tomorrow's friendly international at Hampden.
The 23-year-old Hearts defender was named in former manager Alex McLeish's full squad to face South Africa at Pittodrie in August but had to withdraw through injury.
George Burley drafted Berra in to his squad for his first game in charge as a r
eplacement for veteran defender David Weir, who has been rested, and the Hearts player could partner Celtic captain Stephen McManus at the heart of Scotland's defence.
The confident Berra believes he has waited long enough to make the step-up from Scotland B level. "I was born ready," he said.
"It won't overwhelm me. I have played in big games before with Hearts and I don't think I have let my team down.
"I captained the Scotland B team against the Republic of Ireland and I played well so I have the confidence and I know I have the attributes to play at the highest level.
"Hopefully, if I do get a chance, even coming on as a substitute, I will do myself proud.
"The 2010 World Cup is a long way away but if I keep on progressing as a player as I have been doing over the last couple of seasons, and learning from my mistakes, I'm sure I will be playing for Scotland by that time. But there are a lot of good players in front of me and to get into this team you have to earn it."
Derby wide-man Gary Teale, currently on loan at Plymouth, was used sparingly by McLeish but he is hoping to establish himself under new manager Burley who will be looking to guide Scotland to their first friendly win at Hampden since an Ally McCoist goal sealed a narrow 1-0 victory over Australia in March, 1996.
Teale said: "It's the manager's first game so everybody is basically back to scratch, looking to force their way in to the side or keep their place so it's an important game.
"Obviously he knows what the players can do but he might have a different way of thinking.
"Over the years, whoever the manager has been, our record in friendlies has been great.
"So hopefully we can get off to a winning start for the manager."
The full article contains 399 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
