Wolves defender and former Dundee United star Barry Douglas won’t be upset if Scotland call doesn’t come

BARRY DOUGLAS has plenty of memories – and a sackful of medals – from his football career so far.

But he isn’t going to lose any sleep if he never plays for his country.

The former Dundee United defender is back in Britain after four years away in Poland and Turkey, and he’s enjoyed an excellent start south of the border at Wolves.

Douglas has bagged one goal and set up six more with his deadly left-foot as his team set the early pace in the Championship.

The left-back was one of the less-heralded signings at Molineux during the summer, but he has produced plenty of eye-catching displays.

But, in terms of international recognition, there is congestion ahead of him.

Whoever will be the next Scotland national team boss will be spoilt for choice with Celtic star Kieran Tierney, Liverpool’s Andy Robertson and Rangers captain Lee Wallace standing in Douglas’s way for the left-back position.

So the 28-year-old is happy to use the international break to recharge his batteries, and nip back up the M6 to see his family in Glasgow.

“I would love to represent my country, but I’m not going to stress myself about it,” he says. “If it’s going to happen, it will happen.

“I just have to keep doing well for my club. If the chance comes up, then great. If not, I’ll have some free time to go and see the family.

“There are some great young players in my position. They have big futures, so I can’t really complain that I’m not involved.

“But if it did happen, it would be a huge honour and a great achievement.”

Douglas was signed by Wolves’ Portuguese coach, Nuno Espirito  Santo, as part of the club’s ambitious project to get back to the Premier League.

But perhaps fans in the Black Country did not realise they were bringing in a player used to success.

The defender first won the Polish League and Polish Super Cup during his two-and-a-half years at Lech Poznan.

He then headed south to Konyaspor in Turkey, where he helped the club win their first major trophy with success in last season’s Turkish Cup.

That was in a penalty shoot-out against Istanbul Basaksehir. Douglas was down to take the fifth and final spot-kick, but he wasn’t needed as Konyaspor won it 4-1.

It’s just one of many happy memories he has from four incredible years on his travels.

“The celebrations were crazy,” he recalls. “Within about 30 seconds of the final penalty, there were 30,000 people on the pitch with us.

“I was trying to get down the tunnel as fast as possible, but it was not easy!

“The supporters in both Turkey and Poland were very fanatical. But it was interesting seeing what happened if things didn’t go your way.

“I was playing in a Turkish league game away to Adanaspor. We were winning which meant they were getting relegated.

“Their fans started to rip up seats and chuck them on to the pitch. The match was delayed for 15 or 20 minutes, and it was pretty surreal as I was trying to dodge seats!

“When the opportunity to move to Poland first came up, I just thought: ‘Why not?’ It was a case of embracing it and being open-minded.

“I was never really homesick and that’s why I settled so well. My wife was with me and we both just enjoyed it.

“I learned a couple of languages and different cultures. I saw places I would never have expected to visit, so I’m thankful for that.

“I understand a lot of Polish, but it took me nearly two years to learn. Then going to Turkey was more difficult, but I picked up the basics.

“I didn’t know when I would get to use either of them again, but I actually speak to one of the Wolves squad – Michal Zyro – in Polish!

“It’s now easier for me to relate to the foreign guys here at Wolves, because I’ve been in that situation. I know how daunting it can be.

“Going abroad improved me as a footballer and a person. It was a life experience as much as football one.”