Jacob Brown reckons he couldn’t have timed his arrival in the Scotland squad any better.

But the Luton Town striker is well aware he now faces a fight to ensure he doesn’t drop back out of Steve Clarke’s plans at the worst possible time. It’s two years ago this month that the 25-year-old was called-up for the first time ahead of the World Cup qualifying double header with Moldova and Denmark that would cement a play-off spot. That quest to reach Qatar 2022 may have ended in despair but Clarke’s troops have come back stronger to romp through the Euro 2024 qualifying campaign and book a spot in Germany in record time.

As Hampden drew the curtain down on the successful campaign with a Sunday night party against Norway, Brown was rewarded for his commitment to the cause with a first international start. It’s been a long wait to make the starting XI for the former Stoke City frontman. But the goosebumps he felt walking out on Sunday night justified that patience. And a spot in the 23-man squad heading to Germany next June would rubber stamp it.

Brown said: “My first camp was around this time two years ago, and obviously, everyone wants to come and start. I think you’ve just got to be patient, bide your time and keep working hard, and luckily I got the chance against Norway. That was my eighth appearance, but my first start, so it was good.

"I think I’ve probably fallen into the squad at a good time! We’ve done so well from the minute that I’ve come in, so it’s probably been quite easy for me to settle in because obviously there is positivity around the camp.

“I just want to work hard and show the team that I can help in any way. I got goosebumps when I was walking out on Sunday, the atmosphere was really good.

“It was something I’ve been waiting for for a long time, so I’m just happy for it to finally come. It meant a lot for me and I think for all the players and staff as well, having already qualified, we all wanted to end on a high and go out and win the game.

“Unfortunately we didn’t manage that, but we put a shift in and we’re just looking forward to the Euros now. One hundred percent everyone wants to be in the squad.

“Everyone is going to be working hard, and that is what we need, to just keep pushing each other. We’ve obviously got to go back to our clubs and do well, and then we have the next camp in March to look forward to.

“There are a lot of players around the squad and there’s more as well. So it’s a chance for us all to work hard, keep pushing and try to make it into the squad.”

The fight for forward spots in Clarke’s final 23 that head to Germany is set to ramp up in the coming months. Brown has yet to score for Scotland and has drawn a blank in the Premier League since his summer switch to Luton as well.

He did, however, net a decent return of 30 goals in 141 games for Stoke. And the Halifax-born frontman insists his confidence is sky high though thanks to regular outings in the top level of the English game. Motivation to keep turning up for his country has never been a problem either thanks in main to the camaraderie in the squad which he has no doubt is a big reason behind the recent success.

Brown said: “My confidence is high at the minute. I’m playing in the Premier League, which is another amazing experience.

“To then be coming and playing with these types of players and getting a chance to start, that is obviously a massive confidence boost.

“There is a great camaraderie in the changing room. Everyone knows it is a big thing that if you are not starting then you need to come on and play your part, so everyone is ready, whether they are starting or not.

“Everyone gets on with each other so well too, so everyone wants to do their best for each other whether you are starting, on the bench or if you don’t come on, we all want the same thing and are pushing for it. Everyone is pulling in the one direction and that is the main thing, that is why we have done so well in this campaign.

“You’ve seen it in previous games, players that have come off the bench have made big impacts and that has got us points, so it’s important that everyone is ready.

“It is like a club atmosphere, that is exactly what it feels like, and I think that has been one of the main keys to the success.”

Brown place at Germany might not be guaranteed but he’ll be glued to the draw on December 2. And having beaten Spain on the way to qualification he insists there’s no fear of facing anyone next summer.

He said: “Yeah, exactly. Getting results against the likes of Spain gives you tons of confidence, and I think that’s what we need to try to keep doing, beating teams like that to give us confidence coming into the next competition.”