Scotland defender Stephen O’Donnell concedes he is disappointed to have been involved in a number of the goals conceded in the double header against Israel and Portugal.
The Scots were defeated 2-1 in their Nations League loss in Haifa on Thursday, before going down 3-1 against Portugal in Sunday’s friendly at Hampden Park.
Kilmarnock right back O’Donnell is a newcomer to the national side, having won his first cap in a 2-0 friendly loss to Peru in May, and although he accepts he is still adapting to international football he is wary more mistakes could threaten his future.
O’Donnell said: “Personally, I was really disappointed after the Israel game and I was also disappointed at being involved in a couple of the goals lost against Portugal.
“Again, that’s the small margins which make you are top player and an international player and that’s a learning curve for myself and the team as a collective.
“Reflection is great, but it wasn’t good enough at the time.
“I need to make sure I’m not involved in goals. I’m a defender first and foremost.
“I thought I did well at times and I’m not afraid to get onto the ball, but it’s not for me to say if I’m going to fill that spot.
“I’ve enjoyed my six games that I’ve played and, hopefully, there is more.
“But if there is more, I can’t be involved in any more goals and that is something I’m certainly going to work on.”
O’Donnell felt Alex McLeish’s men showed signs of improvement despite the loss to EURO 2016 winners Portugal, however he insists the Scots must take that into their crucial Nations League double header against Albania and Israel next month.
The 26-year-old added: “There was a lot more collective disappointment after Israel.
“At the end of the day, you compare the games, The Nations League are the reason why we were away. They are the important part.
“The friendlies are also important, but the Israel game was massively disappointing afterwards.
“After Portugal, a friendly where you look to see if you are improving and trying to put things we have worked into play, you look at parts of the game and I thought we did – it was the same as Belgium.
“It was a disappointing result again, but we came away from it learning a bit more.”