Hard work can deliver dark-blue jersey for Hanlon
Paul Hanlon isn’t ready to admit defeat in his dream of playing for Scotland.
The Hibs defender didn’t make Steve Clarke’s squad for the upcoming Nations League games, but he hopes success at club level can boost his chances of international recognition.
Hanlon said: “I have definitely not given up on that.
“It is still an ambition to get in that squad and get a cap. But I wouldn’t say I was disappointed as I wasn’t expecting to be called up.
“It is different if there is an expectation there. Then there would be more disappointment.
“If we can keep our standards high and Hibs are third or fourth in the league, then you have a much better chance.
“I will just keep working hard and, hopefully, one day a call-up will come along.”
The 30-year-old is part of an Easter Road defence that has conceded only two goals this term.
They’re going for a fourth-successive clean sheet at home to Aberdeen this afternoon.
Hanlon believes that resilience has been developed through hard graft at their training ground.
The recent success has encouraged the players to redouble their efforts.
He said: “We were working hard on the training ground all through pre-season, and when you get the rewards, it makes you work even harder.
“The defensive lads are all at the coaches, wanting to do it because we are enjoying the results we are getting from it.
“We just need to keep doing it for the rest of the season.
“When you are in a rut and a win is difficult to find, the work on the training ground starts to feel a bit harder.
“Right now, the gaffer has a hard-working group of lads, who are desperate to keep winning because we are enjoying that feeling every week.”
Hanlon’s manager believes he’s right to keep believing an international cap can come his way.
Jack Ross said: “Am I surprised he hasn’t been capped for Scotland? Yes, especially when you look at his longevity at Hibs.
“To play more than 400 games for a club of this size is testament to his ability.
“Having worked with him day-in, day-out, I know Paul is a really good player, maybe one of the most-underrated centrebacks in the league.
“He’s the ideal player in many ways – low maintenance, high output. If you had a squad of players like that it would be fantastic!”