Hearts' Michael Stewart has returned to international football after a six year absence. The 27-year-old earned his fourth cap in the goalless draw with Northern Ireland and followed that with a place on the bench for the 1-0 defeat to Macedonia.

The former Hibernian and Manchester United youngster has now set his sights on becoming one of George Burley's first-choice squad picks in future.

"This is my fourth real season in football and you begin to establish yourself a wee bit more.

"Obviously you need to be doing well. I'm not saying you play four seasons of football and you get a call-up from Scotland.

"But I feel a lot more comfortable in what I'm doing. I've been called up to the last two Scotland squads for late call-offs.

"Now, I want to make sure I can cement my place in the squad from the off. I'd like to be in the original squad.

"That's the next wee hurdle to get over and the only way to do that is to maintain my form for Hearts."