Scotland

Barry Bannan ready to fight for place in Scotland starting lineup

By Daniel Lewis, Senior Reporter | 01 April 2015

Barry Bannan insists that competition for a starting berth in the Scotland national side is making each player up their game in training.

Scotland midfielder Barry Bannan has acknowledged that he must remain on top of his game if he is to nail down a starting spot in the national side.

The Crystal Palace midfielder, who is currently on loan at Championship side Bolton Wanderers until the end of the season, earned his 20th cap for the Tartan Army in Sunday's 6-1 win over Gibraltar.

Bannan had to settle for a place among the substitutes for the comprehensive Euro 2016 qualification victory, while Bournemouth winger Matt Ritchie came straight into the side to make his full debut for Scotland.

Far from being downhearted on missing out, the 25-year-old believes that this just goes to highlight the strong pool of talent available for manager Gordon Strachan to choose from.

"It's football – you have to look at others and Matt has been doing well at Bournemouth. He came in and did well in both games," he told the Daily Record. "People are fighting for their places. There are 28, 29, 30 players who all have a good case to be in the squad.

"Training is competitive. I just think that in training and in games I have to give my all and hope that it's good enough. I've just got to keep going. I've had it now for a few years. I hope that I can impress the manager and force my way in there."

Bannan has made 10 appearances for Bolton since joining on loan earlier this year.