There are certain moments that can come to define a Scotland career. If you’re unfortunate, that can be an infamous miss like Chris Iwelumo’s against Norway at Hampden, or at the other end of the spectrum, it can be a swing of James McFadden’s boot from 40 yards in Paris.
For Kenny McLean, a reliable performer within the Scotland squad for years and a fine servant for his country who has accumulated 52 caps and counting, a game against Norway holds far happier memories than it will for the unfortunate Iwelumo. For him, it will always be Oslo.
The Norwich City midfielder would be more than happy if that wonderfully composed, last-gasp finish to complete a remarkable Scotland turnaround is his international epitaph. But the 33-year-old is hoping that there is still one big moment left in the tank yet, with an appearance at next summer’s World Cup a box he would dearly love to tick off before ending his national service.
If that moment doesn’t come from him, then he sees plenty of men all around him in the Scotland squad who are ready to step up to the plate and take the country back to a stage they haven’t graced since 1998.
For now, though, McLean can’t deny that it feels good to have the Tartan Army constantly remind him of the time he caused uproar in the Ullevaal.
“Of course it does,” McLean said.
“It sounds like I’m stroking my ego, but everybody likes to hear good things.
“The fact I was fortunate enough to be in that position to get those moments is great and it’s nice to hear what it means to people. It’s the kind of moment - the goal in Norway - where everybody remembers where they were at the time of it.
“It’s a moment I’ll look back on and be pretty proud of. Everybody would love to have moments like that. It is something fans always speak about - but I’m desperate for more moments like that.
“I hope everybody’s got that mentality, that mind-set of saying ‘I can be the guy that steps up.’ There are so many people who can step up. I hope everybody’s thinking they can be the one who takes that responsibility - have that moment that can make a difference in a match.
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“We’ve got so many people with quality and playing with a lot of confidence, they can be the ones to do it.
“I’ve been fortunate enough to have a couple of big moments in my Scotland career. But regardless of who it is, we’re together as a team.
“We know that somebody will step up and be that person to get us that result we need.”
And for many of the men who have made up the core of Steve Clarke’s squad over his reign, that need is pressing. As McLean reluctantly accepts, none of them are getting any younger, and these next four matches over the next month or so will realistically be the last chance for a fair few of them to grace the biggest stage in international football.
“Accepting it is hard, but it’s the reality,” McLean said.
“I’m well aware of the stage of my career I’m at. I’m not getting any younger and tournaments like the World Cup don’t come round very often.
“It does make that desire more. I’m aware it could be my last opportunity to get to a tournament. At any moment, it could be my last chance to play for Scotland.
“I’ll never take it for granted. I’ll cherish every moment I have in this squad, every moment on the pitch. I try to maximise it.
“It does make me more determined to help everybody involved. I’m not looking at the situation and thinking ‘This is my last chance...’ and it’s about doing it for me. It’s for everybody. But the chances are it’s my last campaign.
“We’ve got a lot of experience as a squad. We’ve been together for a long time. When you speak about trusting each other, we’ve always had that, and we’re getting stronger.
“But there are a few lads in the squad similar to myself. We’re just desperate to do it for each other, for the manager, for the fans, for the country.
“Maybe it is that extra motivation because we know where we’re at in our careers. But that motivation is always there.”
As popular a figure as McLean is with the Tartan Army after his heroics in Oslo in particular, his inclusion in squads and sometimes in the midfield can draw wearied criticism from those who have grown tired of Clarke’s stubborn loyalty to the players who have served him well in the past, as they crave the injection of fresh blood.
McLean never takes his place in the squad for granted, but when he describes the role he plays within it both on and off the field, it is easy to see why Clarke still places so much trust in him.
“I think it’s always been a strong position in the squad since I’ve come in,” he said.
“I’m very fortunate the manager puts his trust in me every time the squad is named. But then we come here, he puts his trust in me - whether I’m playing or not - to help throughout the week.
“We’ve obviously got a few younger lads in that position and I try do my best to help them as well, to bring them on as players, as people.
“The manager always backs me to deliver for him and I just need to try and repay him by doing as much as I can on the training pitch and match-days.
“I think when he’s picking a squad I think he looks at more than just on the pitch. It’s also about being a tight knit group. We’re so together. You can see that.
“I think I just bring everything I can, helping lads on and off the pitch.”
