BLACKBURN Rovers defender Grant Hanley is determined to start the new season on top form – as he looks to secure a place in the Scotland team for their friendly against England.

Hanley starred for Scotland in a 1-0 win in Croatia in a World Cup qualifier in June and is now eager to be involved when they face the Auld Enemy at Wembley on August 14.

Rovers team-mate Jordan Rhodes, a substitute against Croatia, will also be keen to play and the fixture is a real incentive for the duo as they look to end pre-season on a high and hit the ground running at the start of the 2013/14 campaign.

“It’s a few years since the last Scotland-England game at Wembley so I’m definitely looking forward to that,” Hanley said.

“The game doesn’t come round very often.

“First and foremost I’ve got to get myself concentrated on here at Blackburn, getting my fitness up, getting the minutes on the pitch and looking forward to the start of the season “As long as you are playing consistently and regularly with FROM BACK PAGE your club side, you’ve always got half a chance of playing for your country.

“Hopefully I can keep my performances up, get to a good standard and look forward to the England game.

“It was a good result for us in Croatia. I don’t think many people expected that for us.

“It was a great result so I look forward to the England game on August 14.”

Hanley, who scored on his return to old club Crewe on Tuesday, now has seven caps for Scotland and impressed last season alongside Scott Dann in the heart of the Rovers defence.

The 21-year-old feels he will continue to develop as a player as he gains more experience.

“I think it would be weird if you weren’t getting better as you go on because you’re learning all the time,” he said.

“I know I’m still young and I’m still inexperienced, but I feel myself that the more I play, the more experience I get and the more confidence I get.

“It’s just a case of putting a run of games together and keeping that consistency.”

Hanley recently signed a new contract at Rovers – keeping him at Ewood Park until 2018.

“It puts that to bed and takes that off my mind,” the centre back said.

“I’m here for another five years, which I was delighted with, I’m happy with that.

“I love being at the club, it’s a great club to play for so I can just concentrate on my football and trying to get us back in the Premier League.”

Rovers are continuing to pursue Liverpool midfielder Jay Spearing, although Bolton and two Premier League clubs are still understood to be monitoring the situation. Spearing would ideally prefer to join a top flight club.

Swiss under 21 international defender Frederic Veseli, who had been interesting Rovers, is now on trial with Ipswich with a view to a deal. Middlesbrough had also been linked.

Rovers forward Anton Forrester has joined League Two side Bury on loan until January after scoring seven goals in a trial game on Tuesday, which the Shakers won 15-0 against St Blazey.