"Only time will tell but it's every footballer's ambition to play for their country"
Hearts captain Christophe Berra is pleased that he has been named in George Burley's first Scotland squad but is determined to show that he is there on merit and not just make up the numbers. He hopes he will make his debut at international level on Wednesday against Croatia. Berra was part of the squad that played South Africa in a low-key friendly in August but did not take part in the action. With veteran Rangers defender David Weir left out of the squad, Berra is keen to make the most of his chance under his former club manager. Berra, who has been joined in the squad by Hibs striker and fellow newcomer Steven Fletcher, said: "I am not going along to make up the numbers in the squad. He (Burley) has brought in some fresh blood and it's up to me to keep working hard, keep learning as much as I can and you never know - there might be an opportunity for me against Croatia. Only time will tell but it's every footballer's ambition to play for their country."
Berra, whose sole start in a Hearts jersey during Burley's short time in charge at Tynecastle came in a CIS Cup victory over QueensPark, added: "George wasn't here for very long and I think I had just one start when he was manager. This is a really important game for everyone given that it is his first one in charge, and everyone will be wanting to impress him. George will also want to do well in his first game to set the tone for his management of the national side. It is a great boost for me personally and obviously I am very happy to be in the squad. There had been a bit of speculation about it over the past couple of weeks but it was just a case of me waiting to see what happened. I think I have kept up a consistent level of performance since coming into the Hearts side and the only way you can get into the international squad is by doing well at club level.
