Ryan Christie has offered a resounding boost to his Scotland chances after he played 67 minutes for Bournemouth on Saturday.
The ex Celtic ace played from the start in the 2-1 defeat to Brentford despite nursing a chronic groin issue. The midfielder played for 71 minutes against Spurs but there were doubts if he was to be risked against the Bees at the weekend. However the 58-time Scotland cap played from the start before being replaced by Luis Sinisterra just after the hour mark.
Bournemouth manager Iraola says that Christie is struggling to finish games at the moment, due to the chronic problem he has. But the Cherries boss offered an insight into an agreement between the manager and his key player.
He said: "Ryan Christie is very honest, he wants to play every time. If he can play with the national team, he will play for the national team. I understand him, it's the player who has to decide."
The 30-year-old was named in Steve Clarke's squad for the crucial Nations League playoff double header with Greece next week after some outstanding displays for the Premier League side. But his gaffer has now said he's having to manage a groin injury, that could cause a selection headache ahead of the all-important double header.
Christie has been a key player for the Cherries, who sit seventh in the Premier League, starting 25 of their 28 games while managing his injury which is expected to need surgery over the summer. No player in the Premier League this season has won possession more times (154) than ex Inverness man, who made his international debut against the Netherlands back in 2017.