Speaking after receiving a surprise recall for Saturday 14 November's friendly in Wales, Scotland keeper Paul Gallacher admitted he had feared his national-team days were behind him.

The 30-year-old St Mirren goalkeeper was drafted in for the trip to Cardiff after No1 Craig Gordon fractured an arm during Sunderland's 2-0 Barclays Premier League defeat at Tottenham on Saturday.

Gallacher, who earned the last of his eight caps in May 2004, got the nod ahead of Neil Alexander, who has dropped down the pecking order after finding himself out of the team at Rangers.

"I wasn't expecting that phone call on Sunday morning but I'm pleasantly surprised as you are never sure that the chance will come around again for an international call-up. I'm absolutely delighted," said the former Dundee United keeper. "My last cap was about five years ago against Estonia and I was in a few squads after that so it is good to be involved again."

Gallacher only joined St Mirren this summer and may not have been in the side at all but for a long-term injury to Chris Smith. "I've been pleased with my performances with St Mirren. Sure, some things can be improved but getting the call-up is great as it wasn't really something that I was expecting so it is obviously a wee bonus," he continued.

"At 30, you sometimes think the days of an international call-up may be past you, but even if is just for a one-off occasion, I'm still over the moon to be involved.

"Of course I would love to be involved on Saturday but I realise that I've only been brought in due to an injury to Craig Gordon. I'll go along and see how things come along and hopefully I'll show enough that I'll be considered for future squads."

Gallacher was able to celebrate his recall today with Buddies team-mate Andy Dorman, who earned his maiden call-up to the Wales squad for Saturday's game.

"I'm really pleased for Andy as it has been a tough week for him with all the speculation," Gallacher said of the midfielder, who became the first player selected for a home nations squad under the new schooling rule.

"He has been playing well again this season and I think he got another wee lift today when he got the news. And while I obviously will wish him all the best, hopefully if he does take part on Saturday he doesn't do too well!"