JAMIE McALLISTER always hoped he would get a Scotland recall when old club boss George Burley was appointed manager.

The former Aberdeen and Hearts full-back last played in our 4-1 win over Trinidad and Tobago back in 2004, during Berti Vogt's ill-starred reign.

Now impressing at Bristol City, he knew his form - and the fact he played under Burley at Tynecastle - would have him knocking on the door for international recognition again.

"I thought I might have a wee chance of getting back in when Burley was made manager because I played under him at Hearts," said the 30-year-old. "I was delighted when I got the call last week.

"Being part of a successful team at Bristol City helps. The Championship is a great league. There's a lot of quality and it's only right that there are a lot of boys getting picked from there.

"It seems that there is a freshness and confidence under Burley, and a belief that we can go and qualify. At Hearts, George gave us a belief that we were good enough to compete with the best.

"We pressed teams all over the park and that is what Scotland need to do against Norway - play at a really high tempo, get in their faces and do everything quick."

McAllister has been room-sharing with Chris Iwelumo, another Championship player, this week. The Wolverhampton striker has eight goals in seven games and Mac believes the 6ft 4in Iwelumo has the ability to make an impact from the start on Saturday in the absence of Kenny Miller.

"He's got everything," said McAllister. "He's big, strong, he's got a good touch. I played against him for Charlton last year and he scored the winner in the 90th minute and killed our hopes of automatic promotion.

"I think it could be the ideal game for Iwelumo. We have a lot of other quality players in Kris Boyd, Steven Fletcher and David Clarkson, but he could do a good job. He can bring others into play, which might help if someone plays off him."