Gary Naysmith: I should have doubled my cap tally

Aug 24 2008 By Gordon Waddell

GARY NAYSMITH has his eyes on a double journey during Scotland's World Cup campaign - one to South Africa for the finals, the other into Scotland's Hall of Fame.

The full-back has spent the eight years of his cap career dreaming of a major finals. And believing he should have DOUBLED his 41-cap total.

But now he has his sights set on the 10 qualifiers to push himpast the magic 50 mark and on to the SFA's wall beside the nation's legends.

The 29-year-old said: "My debut was against Republic of Ireland in 2000 and it seems a long time ago.

"When you're named in squads consistently for eight years you expect more caps. It is frustrating but injuries are part and parcel of the game. I could have had perhaps 75 caps - but 50 is a realistic aim and hopefully I can achieve that during the qualifiers."

If Naysmith stays fit he's almost guaranteed to hit that number.

Left back has been a problem slot for successive Scotland gaffers when Naysmith is on the treatment table.

The Sheffield United grafter said: "I've made left back my own. If I'm fully fit I can do a job for Scotland."

Naysmith intends to keep all his rivals for the position at bay. He said: "Everyone thinks I'm injury prone because I've pulled out of some squads.

"But I played 40-odd games last season and, after a really hard, old school pre-season, I'm fit."

Naysmith (right) is also well aware of the need to get off to a flier in Skopje.

He said: "Macedonia are going to be our toughest away game, if you discount the Holland match.

"The Georgia away game cost us in the Euro qualifiers. We don't want to be saying again: 'If only we'd done better in Macedonia'.

"We have two difficult away games - but if we take four or six points we'll set ourselves up for a good go.

"We need a good result. We don't want to be going to Iceland thinking:

'If we don't win here the campaign is over before it has started'.

"You want the pressure that comes from winning and being up at the top of the group section.

"You've got that little edge - every game last year had that. We want to have a chance of qualifying right up to the death."