Stoke new boy Luke Graham proud as he wins first international call up

Luke Graham has reflected on a landmark moment for him and his family after receiving his first call-up to Scotland’s senior squad.

The 22-year-old centre-half had been on standby for the World Cup squad while he was still with Dundee and has now been rewarded for his early form in the Championship since a summer transfer to Stoke City.

He is one of seven uncapped players summoned by new head coach Sebastien Pocognoli for matches against Slovenia at home and away as well as against Switzerland and North Macedonia. New Stoke teammate George Hirst misses out.

“It’s a very, very proud moment for me and my family,” Graham told Radio Stoke as he met local media this morning. “One of the main reasons I play football is to hopefully play for my country. I’ve done it at 21s level so far and to make the step up to the first team is unbelievable. I can’t put it into words really.”

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Graham has made seven appearances so far for Stoke. He sat out of early league trips to Southampton and Wolves behind Ben Wilmot and Bosun Lawal but has returned to be a key part of a back three in a four-match unbeaten run.

He said: “My short-term challenge is to keep playing well, stay in the team, keep progressing every week. That (takes care of the) long-term really. I want to play as much football as I can while I’m still young and just keep going like that and see where it takes me.

“I think it’s amazing (to get a chance to play international football) as well as the pride that comes with pulling on a Scotland shirt.

“Some of the players who they’ve got in the national team are Champions League winners and Premier League players. Learning from them will be absolutely vital to me.”

Ethan Galbraith and Justin Devenny have been named in Michael O'Neill's Northern Ireland squad this morning too.

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