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Craig Bryson hopes his scintillating form for Derby County can help him finally force his way back onto the pitch for Scotland.

The 26-year-old, originally from Westwood, received his fourth call-up to the national squad last week but the midfielder still only has a solitary cap to his name, won during a 3-0 win over Faroe Islands at Pittodrie in 2010.

Having been included in the squad for Scotland’s trip to America in 2012 and failing to feature under then manager Craig Levein, Bryson was then chosen by Gordon Strachan last month for the matches against Belgium and Macedonia.

Once again, though, he was overlooked and failed to make his second appearance in a dark blue jersey.

But after scoring six goals in 11 games for Derby this season, he hopes his recent performances will help him play some part in Scotland’s final World Cup qualifier against Croatia at Hampden on October 16.

Bryson, who grabbed a brace last mid-week to help Derby come back from 4-1 down to draw with Championship rivals Ipswich, told the News: “It’s nice to work my way back into the squad again by playing well for Derby.

“We had a great comeback against Ipswich and it was great to be called up off the back of that and my other performances for Derby this season.

“I’ve started this season really well and scoring six in 11 games is a good return from midfield and hopefully I can go on and score more, maybe get into double figures.

“It’s always disappointing when you don’t play but by training with international players when I’m with the Scotland squad, I’ve always gained great experience when I’ve been called up in the past.

“I was in the stand at Hampden for the Belgium game and I was named on the bench for the Macedonia match, but it would be nice to win my second cap at Hampden having played at Pittodrie before.

“Gordon spoke to me the last time I was in the squad and said he was impressed with what I was doing in training.

“He told me to keep my head down and my chance will come.

“He knows his team and how wants to play, but he wants me to prove to him I’m good enough to get in that team.

“Hopefully I can get on the bench for the Croatia game and come on and show him what I have to offer.”

Although Bryson himself has impressed this season for The Rams, the Pride Park side sit mid-table in the Championship and are still smarting from the sacking of boss Nigel Clough, who has been replaced by former England coach Steve McLaren.

Clough brought Bryson to England from Kilmarnock in the summer of 2011 and the former Rugby Park hero says he is gutted to see him go.

“I will never forget what Nigel Clough did for me,” said Bryson, who has made nearly 100 apperances for Derby.

“He brought me down from Scotland a couple of years ago and picked me all the time, so I’m very sad to see him leave the club.

“I owe him so much and moving here did amazing things for my career, so I’ll always be thankful to him for that.”