Joe Newell admits he only started thinking about playing in Europe after moving to Scotland.
The Hibs midfielder will get the first taste of continental competition of his career next season with Jack Ross' team guaranteed to finish at least fourth in the Scottish Premiership.
What competition and the stage they go in at is yet to be decided, but a Scottish Cup semi-final win over Dundee United on Saturday would be a big step towards the Europa League play-off round.
While Newell admits the chance to test himself at that level was one of the main factors in him signing a new deal at Easter Road, it wasn’t something he ever believed would happen when he was younger.
“To be honest, in my career, no [I never thought about it],”he told STV. “Because in England growing up you have to be at one of the top, top sides.
“Maybe at seven I might have thought it possible then but as I got older it was always a bit lower down in my mind. [The goals were] trying to play in the Championship, trying to play in the Premiership, and stuff like that.
“But coming up here, I signed a new contract and it was factor in that, definitely. And the thought of the fans being back for European nights, it could be amazing.
“When I was growing up we didn’t have Sky and the Champions League was on ITV then and the big European nights were the highlight of the week.
“To be involved would be an honour.”
Teammate Kevin Nisbet has the Euros as well as Europe in his sights as he targets a place in Steve Clarke’s Scotland squad for this summer’s finals.
A trip to Wembley to take on England in the second group game is the undoubted highlight.
But while Newell would love to see his teammate get the nod, he reamians an Egnlishman at heart and is in no doubt over the outcome he wants to see.
“If Nizzy plays for Scotland I would love it if England win 5-2 and he scores a brace,” he said.
“It’ll be water off a duck’s back to Kevin. I’ve mentioned before that his mental strength is unbelievable.
“He’s come in and been great around the place. He’s bought into what the club is wanting to do and how the gaffer wanted to play straight away.
“He’s got so many attributes to his game. He’s an all-round striker and I think he should definitely be involved for Scotland. he deserves it and he’s had a great season.”
