Burnley striker Steven Thompson's Scot ambition

10:08am Friday 5th September 2008

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Steven Thompson hopes his switch to Burnley can help to re-ignite his international ambitions.

The Paisley-born front man made his Scotland debut from the substitutes’ bench against Paris in France, in March 2002, and went on to earn a further 15 caps.

He hasn’t featured for his country since scoring the equaliser in a 1-1 draw with Moldova in their World Cup qualifying campaign of 2004, while he was still with Rangers.

But as he approaches his 30th birthday next month, he feels he has unfinished business away from the domestic scene.

“I would love to get back into the set-up. I've not been involved since I came to the Championship when I left Rangers,” said Thompson, who completed his free transfer move from Cardiff City to Turf Moor on transfer deadline day to team up with fellow Scotland internationals Graham Alexander, Steven Caldwell and on-loan defender Russell Anderson.

"It's something that you always think about.

"I've got 16 caps and it would be nice to get some more, but I think first and foremost I want to get myself in the Burnley team and prove myself here, and if things go well it would be nice to think about that in the future.”

And although he faces fierce competition from established strikers such as Kris Boyd, James McFadden and Kenny Miller, manager Owen Coyle believes Thompson has every chance of coming into Scotland boss George Burley’s thoughts.

“I should think he has international ambitions, because I think the Championship has shown players can do well on that stage, and if he is on top of his game, scoring goals and leading the line, there’s no reason why he can’t get back in the international side,” said the Burnley boss.

“That’s another great thing, he’s mentioned he wants to get back into that side of things, involved at that level, and that can only be good for us.

“He’s a powerful lad, a strong runner in possession of the ball, and he’s played 16 times for his country.

“He’s only 29, so he’s coming to the peak of his powers and hopefully we’ll reap the benefit.”

He added: “We’ve looked everywhere for his type, and it helps that I know him as well. They’re not easy to come by, and, speaking to him, he feels he has a point to prove because he did ever so well at Cardiff.

“He started the season and scored, but found himself on the bench, and I think he will want to show he is still good enough to play in that team.

“Those are the type of players we want, with a point to prove, that aren’t just happy to come and make up the numbers, but have an edge.

“He’s played on the big stage, and you don’t play for Rangers without being capable.

“He played in the FA Cup Final with Cardiff as well, and we feel he certainly has goals in him, and equally he can bring goals to the rest of the team and give us a different dimension to our play when needed.”