Max Johnston looking beyond Scotland friendlies as dad Allan finally gets payback
Johnston wore his old man's dark blue strip to the Euros so thought it only fair that he donated his debut tshirt from Greece game
Max Johnston wants to make sure he will be in Steve Clarke 's World Cup plans by seizing his chance to impress in the summer friendlies.
The Sturm Graz full-back has joined up with the national team fresh from back-to-back Austrian titles.
Johnston comes into the international camp on a high and is looking to build on making his international bow in the last window away to Greece.
The 21-year-old, who will be fighting it out with Anthony Ralston and Nathan Patterson for a start at right-back, will be hoping to impress and get more caps in the upcoming friendlies.
The Scots are at home to Iceland on Friday then head out to Liechtenstein next week.
Johnston knows it will be his last chance to stake a claim ahead of the World Cup qualifiers, which kick off away to Denmark in September.
He told Record Sport: 'It was great to make my debut against Greece. There were just a few minutes to go but the manager told me to go out and get up and down the right but also to keep things tight.
'We managed to do that and get the win in that first game against Greece.
'I had been involved in a few squads previously but to make my first appearance was special.
'It is right up there in terms of career highlights for me. I just want to keep working hard, push to keep myself in the squad.
'We have these two friendlies but everyone will want to push to be involved and that can only be a good thing for the manager.
'Scotland also have the World Cup qualifiers after that. It has been so long since we last qualified for a World Cup finals.
'That is something all the players would love to do this time around.'
Johnston had to be patient to make his senior Scotland debut as the former Motherwell kid was first called up to Clarke's squad against France back in October 2023.
He had come through the youth ranks and graduated from the Under-21s.
The talented full-back was delighted to follow in the footsteps of dad Allan who won 18 caps and scored twice.
Max wore his father's Scotland shirt at the last Euros and thought he should return the favour by handing over his top from that clash with Greece.
Max said: 'I gave my Scotland shirt from my debut to my dad. He deserved it. He took three flights to get to the game.'
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