Tony Watt wants to show Strachan he’s sorry he let Scotland down

Tony Watt is back on Gordon Strachan’s radar.

The former Celtic prodigy now has a chance of being in the squad, named tomorrow, for next month’s friendly against Qatar, and the vital Euro 2016 qualifier with the Republic of Ireland.

The last time Strachan selected Watt was two years ago for a World Cup qualifier away to Croatia, when Robert Snodgrass scored the only goal in a brilliant 1-0 victory.

It should have been smiles all round. But that week with his country has left Watt feeling ashamed at his lack of professionalism.

He let himself down and wasn’t true to his manager and his team-mates.

In order to have any chance of being back involved at this level, the 21-year-old Charlton striker feels he has to get a few things of his chest. It’s time for serious reflection and self-analysis.

In a candid interview, Watt told The Sunday Post: “I’d like to get back involved with my country. It was nice to be involved a couple of years ago but, looking back, I was going through a bad stage in my career.

“I was with Celtic but mentally and physically I wasn’t right. I wasn’t enjoying my football. I was just 19 and I didn’t appreciate what I had in life as a professional and a person at that time.

“When I was with the Scotland squad, I didn’t train hard enough. I hadn’t really trained for the previous 10 days before we met up.

“I had been left out of Celtic’s Scottish Cup Final squad for the game against Hibs and it left me on a real downer.

“My head was far, far away from football. I never gave it my all.

“It’s one of the real regrets I have. I apologise, I really do. I clearly did not impress the manager and the coaching staff during that week because I haven’t been back involved since.

“But it’s nice to hear that Gordon Strachan has watched me playing for Charlton and that I’m under consideration again. That’s a real positive.

“I’d love to win my first Scotland cap, sooner rather than later. But I’m realistic and know other strikers are ahead of me.

“We have the likes of Jordan Rhodes, and I think he is the best finisher in the English Championship. He has unbelievable talent. There are others, too.

“Listen, I will respect any decision in the short-term and in the long-term. The most important thing is that Gordon Strachan and the players continue to get positive results and that the whole nation gets behind them in the bid to get to the Euros next summer.

“I’m not trying to make excuses for myself or get into Gordon Strachan’s good books. I’m just clearing things up.

“I’ve never had a conversation with Gordon (right) about it. But he has always been good with me. If he does give me a second chance, then I’ll be absolutely delighted.

“Life is a learning curve, isn’t it? People never stop maturing, whether you are 21, 31 or 51.

“Life is about learning from the past and trying to become a better person. I have taken it on board to take any negatives in life or in your career and turn them into positive energy. I’m learning, trust me.

“But this is the last time I will be reflecting. I’ve looked back too often now.

“I’ve been honest, and held up my hands to mistakes I’ve made. Now, though, it’s about moving forward.”

Spending time in Watt’s company made two things abundantly clear. He is full of remorse but has matured.

At 18, his life was turned upside down in 2012 when he scored against Barcelona in a 2-1 Champions League win.

His Celtic career was expected to take off, but for different reasons it didn’t. He had a loan spell at Lierse in Belgium and then moved permanently to Standard Liege for £1.2m last August.

He is now at Charlton and enjoying his football down south. There is a realisation that he has to do well there and a determination to do so and he caught the eye there in the second half of the campaign.

Watt stressed: “I enjoyed my football in Belgium. I scored goals and created goals. But I didn’t start enough games. In terms of technical ability and tactical awareness, I have improved dramatically from my time there.

“Now I’m in England and need to continue to improve to take my game to an even higher level.

“My fitness is really good now. I’m really aware of what is required physically to play week-in, week-out at a high level.

“My whole lifestyle has changed in the past year and I’m reaping the benefits.

“I play in a good team at Charlton and they have made it easy for me to settle. I played six games on the spin at the end of the season and that’s the first time that has happened to me. I loved it.

“Even though the English Championship has finished, I’m not treating this like the summer holidays. I get out of bed every morning and go to the gym or go for a run. It’s a great way to start the day.

“I will never lose my fitness. In terms of Scotland, if selected, I wouldn’t turn up unless I was in good condition and ready to give my all.

“I know I’m good on both fronts right now because I realise the true value and importance of being fit and making an impact in training.

“I realise football is a seven-days-a-week job. You need to sleep properly, and I make sure I get plenty of sleep and rest.

“In fact, some people have said to me I’ve become boring! But it’s for the best.

“In the Championship it is non-stop, two games a week and sometimes you can be 10 hours on the team bus on a return trip in midweek.

“It’s mad but I love it. I’m happy.”