Nicky Devlin taking Aberdeen inspiration from Pittodrie stalwart as he refuses to give up on Scotland dream

Nicky Devlin would love it if his Aberdeen move helped to open the door to his Scotland dream.

The defender has been one of the Dons’ top performers since he made the switch from Livingston in the summer. The reliable full-back has moved up a level, playing in European group-stage football and back at Hampden. National boss Steve Clarke is well-covered in the right-back position with Nathan Patterson and Aaron Hickey but the 30-year-old knows if he can keep doing well for Aberdeen then it might give him a chance of a late international call-up.

Devlin said: “I haven’t really been in squads before so I haven’t really been targeting getting into squads because I have never been involved before. Don’t get me wrong, it would be the proudest moment of my career if it was to happen. But the Scotland squad has been doing all right without me being there.

“Right-back is a very strong position for the national team. Maybe a few years ago it wasn’t as strong as it is now but now we have Patterson and Hickey who are both playing in the top league in the world.

“I will just do the best I can for Aberdeen and if an opportunity like that comes up I would be unbelievably proud and it would be a fantastic moment for me. If I can keep doing well for Aberdeen then hopefully these things will come.”

People might think at 30 that Devlin may have missed the boat but the right-back can take inspiration from former Aberdeen player and fellow defender Andrew Considine. Clarke capped Considine when he was 33. Devlin is also well aware that the better he can do with the Dons then the more it would enhance his chances.

He added: “Playing in European competition is where the manager ca judge it better because it’s more similar to international