Loyal Gilks is proud of first full cap

Matt Gilks is happy to be the man Scotland turn to in a crisis.

The Blackpool keeper was one of the heroes of last week’s win in Macedonia after replacing injury victim David Marshall.

He conceded a goal but pulled off a string of impressive saves as the hosts chased the game.

“I know I’m third in line behind Allan (McGregor) and David (Marshall),” said Gilks. “I accept that.

“They are top class goalkeepers playing in the Premier League every week. I’m just a lad from Rochdale who wanted to be a footballer!

“I especially know about David. I was with him for a year at Norwich and never got a sniff as he is a fantastic keeper.

“So to get to this level and play for Scotland in a World Cup qualifier is great. I got my 45 minutes, and my first competitive cap so I’m delighted.

“Friendlies aren’t the same. There’s not the same adrenalin or nervousness. To be handed a proper cap after the game is really big for me and my family.

“The manager keeps taking me away with squads and I’m more than happy to keep coming away and working hard, doing what I have to do to help the lads.

“I suppose this might be seen as a bit of reward for that. I always prepare like I’m going to play and I knew if anything happened to David that I’d be stepping in.”

Gilks’ display in his first competitive international was all the more creditworthy for the fact he himself had had an injury concern.

“I’d actually been struggling with an elbow injury for the previous week so I hadn’t been training every day,” he revealed.

“I sat out Monday and two days last week. Craig Samson was left on the bench (for the Belgium match) as the next man up.

“I hurt it against Watford so I got a bit of treatment in Scotland, gave it a rest and hurt it again on Saturday in training.

“But I’m not one to pull out for a little thing like that I let the physios deal with it.

“It’s a great camp, and the next step every player should want to be at. I’m never going to say I’d stay at home.”