Stephen O'Donnell has thanked skipper Andy Robertson and the rest of his team-mates for their support after the stick he received for his performance against Czech Republic last week.
The Motherwell defender answered his critics last night with an outstanding display in the 0-0 draw with England at Wembley.
And in a candid interview with the BBC after the match, the right-back opened up dealing with the criticism that surfaced on social media and the backing he has had from his countrymen at Euro 2020.
Boss Steve Clarke stuck by him and rated O'Donnell as Scotland's man of the match ahead of the official award-winner, Billy Gilmour.
There were calls for O'Donnell to be dropped and replaced by Rangers youngster Nathan Patterson, but the 29-year-old proved his worth with his best-ever display in a Scotland shirt last night.
And O'Donnell said: "I think what is frustrating in society now see everything, it's hard to get away from it.
"It makes a massive difference when you've got a manager who believes in you.
"He constantly comes under attack for selecting me. I'm not saying the players aren't good enough to play - you saw Billy Gilmour come in and he's and outstanding you talent - and all these young boys are nothing but good for the future of Scotland, but he gets lambasted.
"Could I have been better against Czech Republic? Yeah.
"Could the team have been better? Yeah. But we still had a lot of chances.
"I've had praise now but that will quickly change against Croatia.
"It means a lot to me that the team were all [coming] up to me after the game.
"They know the stick I received and I appreciate the support that they've given me.
"Andy Robertson, especially, with a couple of words he said.
"It's tough. At 29 you think it's easy, but this is all new to all of us and I'm just glad I was able to repay, most importantly, the manager.
"The rest of it is noise; you try to block it out but it is difficult.
"Hopefully I was able to do my manager and all my friends and family back home proud."
Attention now turns to Tuesday at a home clash at Hampden against Croatia, where a win could prove enough to take Scotland into the knockout stages at a major tournament for the very first time.
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