Steven Naismith admits time is running out to fulfil his dream with Scotland.
Norwich City's attacking midfielder hopes to have forced his way into Gordon Strachan's plans for Sunday's 2018 World Cup qualifier against Slovenia at Hampden Park after scoring in the midweek friendly against Canada.
The 30-year-old and club mate Russell Martin face an uphill task to reach the finals with Scotland six points behind Group F leaders England.
'Time is running out for a few guys,' he said. 'We grew up watching Scotland at France 1998, so you know it is real and it can happen. Some of the younger lads have never even seen Scotland play at the finals. At club level you have a poor result and you can get it out of the system a few days later. This campaign has not been perfect and you want to get back on track but we have to wait for the games to come back around. I know from my own point of view when I get a chance I have to take it to make sure the manager knows I am worthy of a place in the squad. If you are not performing you are not going to be in this squad. Everyone wants to be here. That is what driving it. It's not a case you go away with Scotland because you think it looks good. Nobody can rest on their laurels.'
Naismith's international team mate and ex-City striker Chris Martin has been a target for the Scottish boo boys in recent qualifiers.
'For him to get a bit of stick I think was harsh,' said Naismith, speaking on the Scottish FA podcast. 'He has his attributes and his positive sides and maybe things he is not so good at but every player has that. In the last four or five years in the Championship he has been one of the top strikers and most managers at that level would have him in their team.
'The striker debate has been the hot topic for most of my time involved with the national side. Strikers go hot and cold.'
Canaries' captain Martin knows this weekend's Slovenia game is make-or-break.
'Regardless of what's happened in the previous three or four games, if we get a result on Sunday we're right back in the mix and we have a real chance of moving on up the group,' he said. 'Hopefully we put in a performance that means next time we play at Hampden, it's full up.'
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