Austria 0-1 Scotland
May 30, 2007
International friendly
“Playing for your country is a massive achievement – all the hard work and performances you put in at club level get you that recognition. My Scotland career is something I’m really proud of. My debut came against Austria, with 30,000 fans in attendance in Vienna – Garry O’Connor hit the only goal and I then came on for Shaun Maloney. I only played for about 20 minutes, but it was a special occasion and brilliant feeling. You work since you’re a kid to earn that opportunity. I was proud to receive one cap, so to finish on 26 was amazing, but I wanted more and felt I should have played more times for my country. Managers change, though. One minute you’re in the picture and the next you’re out of it. That’s what can happen in international football.”
Blackpool 3-2 Cardiff
May 22, 2010
Championship Play-off Final
“To play ‘the £90 million game’ in front of 82,000 people is what dreams are made of. After the semi-final, we were soon brought down to Earth when we went 1-0 down in the ninth minute. It was a hot day, but even though Cardiff were big favourites we felt we were the better side. Four minutes after they’d taken the lead, I scored a free-kick in what was a rollercoaster first period. Cardiff retook the lead, we equalised, then made it 3-2 when Brett Ormerod scored just before half-time. We had a modest budget and plenty believed we’d get relegated that season, but we had an unbelievable year and sneaked into the play-offs. When the full-time whistle blew, we were overcome with emotion – the club was back in the top flight for the first time since 1970-71.”
Liverpool 1-1 Sunderland
August 13, 2011
Premier League
“Making my Liverpool debut in front of the Kop against Sunderland would have to be one of my biggest games. That was special, after joining the club from Blackpool, and getting an assist was memorable too. We were given a free-kick on the right-hand
