Jamie McAllister admitted yesterday that the moment he heard of George Burley's appointment as Scotland manager nine months ago, he believed his re-entry into the Scotland squad might be a possibility. Yet the Bristol City full-back must surely have been about the only Scot who indulged such a thought.

It had long been forgotten by most of us that McAllister had actually played for Scotland, let alone that the magical moment came in May 2004, during the reign of Berti Vogts, against Trinidad and Tobago. That might have remained McAllister's one and only international outing had a move to the West Country, and playing for City in the Coca-Cola Championship, not reinvigorated his career two years ago.

McAllister and Burley go back to their days together at Heart of Midlothian in 2005 when, amid all the bedlam at Tynecastle, a player and manager forged a mutual respect.

“I never gave up hope of returning to the international squad, and thought I might have a chance with George in charge, because I played for him before,” McAllister said. “But I still knew I had to prove myself by performing consistently for my club. I was pleased that George got the Scotland job, though I haven't been involved since the Trinidad and Tobago game in 2004, which is a long time.

“It's great to be back involved. I always felt that I would get another chance if I kept doing well for my club and working hard. You want to reach the pinnacle as a player and for me that is playing for your country. I'm more experienced now, which makes me a better player, because you read the game better and adapt more. I feel more confident in my ability.

“I have played left-back for most of my career and I have enjoyed playing there consistently for Bristol in the last two and a half years. I feel settled and I am enjoying it.”

McAllister has become well-regarded in Bristol and feels that his move to England, albeit playing below the Barclay's Premier League, has improved his game. “I think I have improved playing in the Championship because you are playing against wingers who are internationals and a lot of them who have played in the Premier League, players like Zoltan Gera at West Brom last year and Darren Huckerby at Norwich,” he said.

“The standard is pretty much the same as the Premier League up here but there is a lot of quality there and you have a different challenge every week. It has also helped that I have been part of a successful team at Bristol. It is a great league with a lot of quality so there are a lot of Scottish players who will have a chance of getting picked for the national team.”

It was intriguing to hear out McAllister on the methods of Burley, having previously worked with him at close quarters. The Scotland manager spoke yesterday of a certain brand of football that he wants his Scotland team to play, and McAllister knew precisely what he was talking about.

“He instilled in us at Hearts that belief that we could compete with the best,” the defender said. “The boys who were there at the time must think about it from time to time and you cannot but wonder what might have been. It was good at the time: we were top of the league, winning games and playing in an attractive style. We want to recreate that style with Scotland.

“George is adopting the same style of play here and in training. We need to press Norway all over the pitch and play with a high tempo, just like we did at Hearts. We need to be in their faces.”