Stevie Hammell has been called-up to the Scotland International squad for the 2014 World Cup qualifier in Croatia, nine years after winning his first and last full cap.
The 31-year old last turned out in dark blue back in November of 2004 – a 4-1 friendly defeat by Sweden at Easter Road with the late Tommy Burns in temporary charge.
With the lack of an established left-back over the years, Hammell, who has played an incredible 464 times in Claret and Amber, can perhaps feel a little unlucky to not have amassed more appearances for the national squad. He has, however, turned out for the ‘B’ squad on more than one occasion.
Now, with the current (Stuart McCall) and former (Mark McGhee) Motherwell manager involved in the coaching set-up, Hammell has been included after Charlie Mulgrew was forced to miss the match and injury concerns over Lee Wallace, Danny Fox and Phil Bardsley.
[pullquote]People might say there have been a lot of call-offs but that doesn’t matter in the slightest to me because it’s a fantastic honour to represent your country.[/pullquote]
Hammell, who is the first ‘Well player to be involved in the senior Scotland squad since Steven Saunders played against the Faroe Islands back in 2010, said: “People might say there have been a lot of call-offs but that doesn’t matter in the slightest to me because it’s a fantastic honour to represent your country.
“I was thrilled to bits when the gaffer [Stuart McCall] rang me on Wednesday. At first I thought he was winding me up then he said he was deadly serious and that Gordon wanted to know if I was available.
“I had no hesitation in telling him in the most emphatic of terms. When Gordon ran me, I was delighted to accept. The ironic thing is that I’m doing my coaching badges down at Largs and when the media interviewed me earlier this week, the international scene came up in the discussion.”
Everyone at Motherwell Football Club would like to congratulate Stevie on his richly-deserved call-up and wish him all the best in Zagreb.