
Ross Doohan on Scotland whirlwind that carried him from Turkey hotel bed to career pinnacle in 72 hours
The stopper answered a last minute call to solve the Steve Clarke's goalkeeping crisis after Angus Gunn was injured against Iceland
Ross Doohan has been living the dream after flying to Scotland 's aid before fellow family holiday-goers had awoken from theirs.
The soon-to-be returning Celtic keeper made his debut for the national team in Vaduz on Monday evening inside 72 hours of even getting a call-up.
A 4-0 friendly victory over Liechtenstein capped a whirlwind few days for the 27-year-old who had been on a family getaway in Turkey when he answered an SOS.
Doohan missed the first call because he was in his bed and then was awakened at 1.20am as Steve Clarke scrambled to find a fit and available No.1 following two going down a few hours earlier at home to Iceland.
The keeper had to wake his parents up in the middle of the night but others with them were oblivious until the morning, by which time he was already on a flight back to Glasgow.
His international record reads one cap, one clean sheet as Doohan said: 'It's a great feeling after that, obviously.
'It was a whirlwind couple of days, being on holiday with my family in Turkey when I got the call.
'It was Friday night UK time but it was Saturday morning in Turkey I got the first call. Twenty past one... I was in my bed so the number came up.
'Mark Leslie [sports science and data manager] made the call. As soon as I was asked about the call-up, I jumped at the chance.
'I got a flight straight away and met up with the squad. I left the family, yes!
'It was me, my brother, my mum and dad, my sister and her boyfriend. As soon as I got the call, I phoned my dad.
'Then my mum and dad came down to reception when I was leaving in the morning. My sister and her boyfriend woke up the next day and I wasn't there.
'My mum and dad had to tell them I was on a flight home! So it was quite surreal but it was worth it.
'I texted my dad and spoke to my family after it. They were flying back from Turkey after the Liechtenstein game.'
Doohan had played for his country at every level up to Under-21s and, a little over four-and-half years on from that last international run-out, was chuffed to complete the set.
Called up after Robby McCrorie and Angus Gunn were injured before and during Friday's defeat respectively, he added: 'It's been a few years since I came through the 21s and worked my way through all the age groups.
'This is probably the pinnacle, getting my first cap, and hopefully it's the first of many. It was a great honour.
'That's what you've always wanted to do as a kid – play at the highest level possible. And that's international football.
'As soon as I get the call, you've got to jump at the chance because it's a great honour. You know, football's a funny game, there's always a chance.
'You never know what can happen, so you always need to be ready and prepared. I felt good. Going in and getting the session on Sunday helped. I was delighted to start and I'm happy how it went.'
While Cieran Slicker suffered at Hampden, there were no such issues for Doohan in Vaduz. He said: 'That's always a good feeling when you hear your name getting chanted.
'It brought a smile to my face and it was a great feeling. I can't complain, I wasn't too busy. The boys were solid in front but games like that are all about concentration, so I had to just stay focused because anything can happen at any time.'
As for his shirt, he added: 'I'll go get it framed and then put it up in my house.'
Doohan will now return to Celtic as third-choice keeper, this call-up making him even more determined to make his mark to ensure more follow.
He said: 'It's always going to be difficult but that is the aim. I'm honoured to get my first cap and since I've got the feeling for it now, I want more.
'I'll just keep working hard to try to get called up again.'
It caps off the perfect end to a campaign featuring Scottish Cup success with Aberdeen as he added: 'The bus parade, basically the whole city came out. It is an experience that will live with me forever.'

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