Caley Thistle midfielder Marley Watkins hopes impressing in Saturday’s Scottish Cup final can help him realise his ambition of playing for Wales.
Although born in Lewisham, Watkins grew up in Swansea, and is eligible to play for the Dragons.
Manager Chris Coleman named Watkins on his standby list for a Euro 2016 qualifier against Belgium in November, although he did not make the final squad.
Inverness take on Falkirk in Saturday’s final at Hampden Park, and with Caley Jags’ first major silverware at stake Watkins would take a victory at any cost.
However, the 24-year-old reckons shining in high-profile games will do his international prospects no harm.
Watkins said: “Playing for Wales would be a dream come true. I was on standby early on in the season, so it’s a target of mine and I feel it’s possible.
“It made me realise that it’s not that far away if I show my best form, so it’s got to be something to aim for.
“Saturday is a big game and a big stage to do it on. I’m not going to put extra pressure on myself, I’ll just treat it as another game, not take Falkirk lightly and it’s all about the win.
“I don’t care if I don’t play well as long as the team wins.”
Watkins grew up supporting Swansea City before joining the Welsh club as a youth-team player and well remembers them avoiding final-day relegation from the Football League with a 4-2 home win against Hull City in 2003.
With Swansea now thriving in the Premier League just 12 years later, Watkins sees plenty parallels with Caley Jags, who he has helped qualify for Europe and reach the Scottish Cup for the first time in the club’s 21-year history.
Watkins, who is out of contract at the end of the season, is delighted with the progress he has made with the Highlanders. He added: “It’s been a great journey, from staying up in League 2 and then on to the Premier League. This has been a special journey here as well, so it’s quite similar.”