Missed putts & hot yoga - Hirst on thrill of Scotland call

Image source, SNS

• Published52 minutes ago

George Hirst is still smiling after confirmation of his World Cup squad place, even if it did mess up the Scotland striker's round of golf and means more uncomfortable hot yoga sessions.

The Ipswich Town number nine, who has scored once in eight internationals since making his debut last year, had feared missing the cut for this summer's tournament.

However, he is one of five forwards selected by head coach Steve Clarke last week.

"I was ecstatic," the 27-year-old said. "I found out 45 minutes before the rest of the world did. I was actually golfing in Portugal with a couple of mates at the time and had a putt for birdie and ended up making double (bogey).

"I couldn't quite contain my excitement, even on the golf course. It was a dream for me when you're a kid, to go to a World Cup and for the manager to give me that opportunity, I'll be forever grateful.

"There was definitely a world where I was in the squad, there was a world where I wasn't. I wasn't naive to that fact.

"In the March camp, I had pretty honest conversations with the manager. For the end of the season, it was just for me to do as much as possible at Ipswich and show why I deserve to be on the plane.

"I've been doing all my hot pod yoga, trying to get used to the heat, which I'm not a massive fan of.

"I just can't really contain myself, contain my smile, contain myself from expressing how happy I am to be here."

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Hirst hit 11 goals as Ipswich finished second in the Championship to ensure a swift return to the Premier League, starting 25 league games and coming off the bench 17 times.

Che Adams, Lyndon Dykes, Lawrence Shankland and Ross Stewart are the other forwards selected by Clarke as Scotland return to the World Cup after a 28-year absence.

"We've probably all got slightly different strengths," said Hirst.

"I think there's strikers in this squad that will fit any sort of eventuality, really. I provide a little bit of pace up there. I've got the height as well.

"I'm going to be there and ready to be called upon whenever that is, whether that's one minute, whether that's 90 minutes, and whoever the gaffer picks is who the gaffer picks.

"You're all fighting for the same thing, but you all want to be involved. It's going to be a really healthy competition, as is always a good thing.

"Hopefully I can train well, I've got the friendly games, get minutes in them and give the manager something to think about."

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