Marc McNulty was never going to let one miss define his time with Scotland.

But that doesn’t make the striker less grateful to new boss Steve Clarke for giving him a chance to make up for his San Marino howler.

The 26-year-old – who spent the second half of last season on loan at Hibs from Reading – kept his place in the new gaffer’s first squad after earning a call-up while Alex McLeish was in charge.

He won his first caps back in March, coming off the bench 
during the disastrous defeat to Kazakhstan and again in the 
Serravalle Stadium.

McNulty squandered a golden chance to score against the 
minnows when he flashed a header wide from close range.

And after that he went seven games without a goal for the Easter Road side.

That’s why the frontman was on tenterhooks as Clarke announced his pool of players for this month’s Euro 2020 qualifiers against Cyprus and Belgium.

And no Scottish player was more delighted to see his name on the new manager’s list than McNulty.

He wants another chance to prove he can cut it at international level – and is convinced that 
when his career is over he’ll have Scotland goals on his CV.

McNulty told MailSport: “I was a bit nervy before the new gaffer named his squad. In my head, I was 50/50 on whether I’d be in or not.

“After a great start at Hibs, I went through a wee tough patch when I didn’t score so he could have left me out.

“But I scored against Aberdeen in the last game of the season and hopefully he noticed that. I’m 
grateful he’s got me involved again.

“Part of me thought the new 
manager might just go back to tried-and-tested players.

“Maybe people thought I only got in because Alex was under a bit of pressure and had to try something new. At the same time, I’d like to think I’ve done well since coming back to Scotland.

“It could have gone either way so I tried not to set my heart on another national call up.

“Did that miss against San 
Marino play on my mind for a while? It still does!

“Listen, it was just one of those things, I’ve had a few in my career. As a striker, you need to forget about misses right away or it will affect you for a long time.

“Of course, I was disappointed on the night and it would have been great to get my first Scotland goal.

“But I’m confident that by the end of my career, I’ll have a few goals for my country.

“And being in this squad gives me a great chance to put that to bed if I’m involved in the games with against Cyprus and Belgium.

“There’s a chance for me now. There’s a position in the team for someone to grab with both hands.

“Given the opportunity, I feel I can be that man.”

At the turn of the year, McNulty’s career looked to be at a crossroads.

Frozen out at Reading by new Portuguese boss Jose Gomes, his future was uncertain as he was forced to train away from the Royals first team.

The loan switch to boyhood heroes Hibs didn’t just save his 
season, it got him the Scotland call up he’d dreamed of.

As he reflected on an incredible six-month turnaround, McNulty said: “The loan back up here has been a dream for me, in terms of how it all worked out. If I could have chosen how it would pan out, I couldn’t have picked it any better.

“I got my first cap for Scotland and I’m still in the squad now.

“For Hibs, I managed to score eight goals and help the club get into the top six.

“At one point, we even had a Europa League spot to fight for.

“When you consider that when I came in, all the talk was of the club finishing in the bottom six, it has been unbelievable.

“In January I was training with the Under-23s at Reading and I’d been told I was no longer wanted. If someone had said to me at that point I’d be in the Scotland squad after being called up by the new manager – I’d have laughed at them.

“For me, it seems like the biggest turnaround in football in such a short space of time.

“I still pinch myself. I’ve kept my caps and my shirts – my family still talk about it now. So I know how lucky I am to represent my country.”

Marc McNulty wheels away after the opener

McNulty’s future at club level is still unclear.

But right now all he’s focused 
on is the clash with the Cypriots at Hampden next weekend.

He’d love an opportunity to impress up front with flying 
wingers James Forrest and Ryan Fraser either side of him. And despite the fact he hasn’t met 
Scotland’s new boss yet, he’s 
sure Clarke can lead the country to its first major finals in 22 years.

He said: “I look at our wingers, the likes of Forrest and Fraser, and the number of assists they provide. It’s unbelievable.

“So as a striker it would be great to get a chance through the middle with those guys.

“The likes of Ryan and James do all the hard work, they make the striker’s job easy. I’m just there to tap it in.

“It’s an exciting prospect to play alongside them.

“And I can’t wait to work with the manager. His record is brilliant as a coach and everyone I talk to in 
football speaks so highly of him.

“The fans are excited as well, you can feel that. He brought good times back to Kilmarnock and the Scotland support will hope he can do that with us as well.

“It was great to hear him talk last week about myself and Eamonn Brophy as two goal-scorers in the squad. I agree with him – I have to back myself.

“If I get chances in the box, I believe I can take chances. To be part of a squad that gets Scotland back to a major tournament is my ultimate dream.

“It’s amazing to be part of this group for the qualifiers.

“But I can’t imagine what it would be like to actually make it to the Euro Championships.

“It’s going to be tough. But with the new manager, he’ll bring the belief back and get us going in the right direction.”