Take The Chance To Prove Yourself

Last updated : 08 October 2014 By Ed_ScottishFitba

C:WindowsTempphp57FD.tmpBarry Bannan insists he can copy Alan Hutton and retain his place in the Scotland side even though he has been left out in the cold by his club. The midfielder has played just three times for Crystal Palace this season and only once - in a Capital One Cup defeat to Newcastle - since new manager Neil Warnock took over at Selhurst Park last month. Howver, Scotland manager Gordon Strachan has kept faith with Bannan, naming him in the starting line-up for last month's opening European Qualifier against Germany and including him in the squad for the upcoming double-header with Georgia and Poland. Bannan, though, is not worried that his lack of game time will eventually cost him and pointed to former Aston Villa team-mate Hutton as a shining example. The former Rangers full-back did not play a single game for his club last year as Villa manager Paul Lambert snubbed him completely, yet he still made eight appearances for Scotland.

Bannan said: "You've got to look at guys like Alan Hutton; in the past he wasn't playing for his club and was coming away and playing really well for Scotland. The only thing I can do, when I come here, is do my all in training to get into the team. I keep myself fit. It's a shame I'm not playing but hopefully playing well here will impress the gaffer and I'll get the chance. I think Neil (Warnock) had just got the job the week I was coming away for the game against Germany. You obviously think if you're playing against Germany and doing well then you'll have a chance when you go back. But Palace were doing well at the time and it's just a case of waiting for your chance and taking it when you get in there."

Georgia visit Ibrox on Saturday before Scotland turn their attention to taking on Poland in Warsaw on Tuesday. Strachan's squad will be desperate to kick-start their Group D campaign with two wins having suffered defeat to world champions Germany in last month's opener, but Bannan is not looking any further than the weekend's game with Temuri Ketsbaia's side. He said: "We are just looking forward to the game on Saturday. We will not get carried away with the games coming after Saturday. We will only focus on Georgia and hopefully we can get the win there."