Ross County goalkeeper Scott Fox is determined to impress for his new club to ensure he does not drift off the radar of Scotland manager Gordon Strachan.
Former Partick Thistle goalkeeper Fox was handed his solitary call up to the Scotland squad to date in November 2013, with Strachan selecting him for a friendly double header against USA and Norway.
Competition for the Scotland number one jersey is strong at present, with Cardiff City’s David Marshall currently first choice ahead of Celtic’s Craig Gordon and Hull City’s Allan McGregor.
However, Fox reckons his summer move to the Staggies can help his prospects of winning a recall to the international fold should any of the three be absent.
The 28 year-old said: “Scotland have three good goalkeepers. But I want to be the first guy to be looked at if they are not available.
“I’m not going to lie, that’s my aim. That’s why I came here. If I can play well here and the club are doing well then that will help.
“I was at Thistle for five years and I loved every minute but I needed a new challenge. Things petered out a bit and it was time to move on.
“The big thing for me was the ambition Ross County showed. When I came up to speak to the manager and see the facilities, I didn’t expect what I saw. This club is ambitious and I want to do well, so it’s good the club are pushing that way too.
“The manager’s ambition showed through and I was immediately interested in coming up here to see the place. What he was talking about is all backed up, and I am looking forward to getting started.”
Fox is currently the only senior goalkeeper signed up at Victoria Park for the new campaign, with both Mark Brown and Antonio Reguero released by manager Jim McIntyre at the end of last season.
McIntyre is keen to sign another goalkeeper before the Premiership season starts with a trip to champions Celtic on August 1.
However Fox, who is one of 10 summer additions, says he is ready to compete for his place no matter who comes in.
Fox added: “I perhaps have a head start as I know the boys but it is what it is right now. I don’t know who’s going to come in, but the main thing is the team does well.
“I have settled in well. All the boys who have been here last season have been really good to me and it’s been an easy transition. There are a lot of new faces, so a lot of us are in the same boat. There are five of us in a hotel at the moment. We have dinner together every night, so it’s been good.
“I will be moving soon to a flat in Inverness. I’ve never moved away before, so this is all different for me. I’m getting married next year as well. My girlfriend Charlotte lives down the road, so she’ll come up for home games and I’ll stay down there when we play in the central belt.”