Scotland’s Tommy Conway knew a call-up to Steve Clarke’s March squad would be his “real chance” of achieving a World Cup berth, as the Middlesbrough forward hopes to mirror his domestic form in the National side.

His eight league goals have pushed Boro into the automatic promotion spots with just seven games to play in the English Championship. Speaking in camp, Conway revealed that honing his daily habits was the key to breaking into the Scotland squad.

“I set myself targets and goals, and I really did commit to the process ever since November, using it as fuel to make sure I got into this one.

“I’ve done that, and almost that’s like the first box ticked. The next box to tick is to get to the World Cup, and I’m doing everything I can to get there.

Having missed out on Scotland’s rollercoaster World Cup qualification campaign, Conway hopes to bring a “winning mentality” to the National side, backing up his positive form in the English second tier.

“I missed out on three camps, and I’d be lying if you don’t start to think, ‘Am I for Scotland anymore? What am I going to have to do to get back into the squad?’

“You have to feel like, ‘I’ve been there before, so why can’t I be there again?

“I work every day to achieve targets that I set myself, and playing for Scotland is the pinnacle for me.”

“We’re doing well, and I want to bring that winning mentality to Scotland and try and make my mark when I’m away at the international stage,” he added.

“I think playing with pressure every week is only going to benefit you and the experience you get from that.

“You can then take that into playing for Scotland as well and, when you go to the World Cup, if I make it there, it’s going to be pressure.”

Scotland v Japan

Barclays Hampden

Saturday 28th March 5pm KO