Jordan Rhodes fulfils childhood dream with Scotland cap

Jordan Rhodes says it was a childhood dream to make his Scotland debut, but the striker does not expect his second cap to come quickly.

The England-born 21-year-old came on for the final three minutes of the 2-1 friendly win over Cyprus in Larnaca.

"It is fantastic to make my debut and I'm thrilled to bits," he said.

"Everybody wants more and everybody wants to play for their country, but the manager has a real selection of real good players to choose from."

Fellow strikers Kenny Miller and Jamie Mackie had supplied excellent finishes to put Scotland 2-0 ahead before Dimitris Christofi's reply gave Craig Levein's side a nervous finish.

"Cyprus played some good stuff, but I thought we played some great stuff at times and scored two fantastic goals and got the win," Rhodes told BBC Scotland.

"Just to sit at the side and sit on the bench and watch all these great players in action is something I will cherish for many years to come.

"It was fantastic just to be on the bench. I wasn't even thinking of coming on until the manager told me to warm up.

"It's not every day that you get to go out and make your debut for your country. It is a childhood dream."

Rhodes was not concerned about having to wait so long into the match to come on - and insists his own thoughts turn to playing for Scotland Under-21s in Monday's European Championship qualifier in the Netherlands and to club football.

"I'd have taken any amount to get on the field against any team anywhere in the world," said Rhodes, who joins Billy Stark's under-21 squad on Sunday.

"It is up to me now. My focus is very much on the under-21s and a good campaign we've got there and Huddersfield Town, who have a big game tomorrow."

Rhodes almost marked his debut with a goal, firing a long-range strike that goalkeeper Tasos Kissas fumbled, with Craig Mackail-Smith going close to adding a late third for Scotland.

"I thought it might bounce in front of the keeper and cause a problem and I thought Craig was unlucky with the rebound," said Rhodes.

Levein had not wanted to wait so long to introduce his latest full Scotland international.

"I did want to bring him on earlier, but we didn't dominate the game as much as we would have liked," said the coach.,

"If it had stayed 2-0, he would have been on earlier, but I was pleased for him.

"The intention tonight was to reward him for his performances at his club."

Mackie, who has scored two goals in four internationals, has only played five games for QPR since his return from nine months on the sidelines through injury and was keen to repay Levein.

"I'm delighted to be back and I thank the manager for selecting me as soon as I'm fit," he said.

"I haven't played 90 minutes yet. I'm getting my sharpness back for every game.

"I owe him a lot and I want to put in performances for him. That will go some way to thanking him.

"It was a good goal and I'm really pleased. I thought I could probably have scored a better one in the first half, but it's nice to get on the score sheet."