ROVERS defender Charlie Mulgrew is hoping to have done enough during his two outings for Scotland in the international break to earn a regular place in Gordon Strachan’s side.

Mulgrew played 90 minutes in both of Scotland’s games last week, the 1-1 friendly draw with Canada and Sunday’s crucial World Cup qualifying win over Slovenia.

They were caps number 25 and 26 for Mulgrew, and his first since joining Rovers, as he slotted in at centre half for both games.

In the Slovenia win, Mulgrew was partnered by Norwich defender Russell Martin, whose regular partner, and former Rovers skipper, Grant Hanley was ruled out with a foot injury.

The 31-year-old is hoping he can become a long-term answer for Strachan in the heart of Scotland’s defence after helping them to a first clean sheet of the qualifying campaign.

“Hopefully I can,” Mulgrew told the Scottish Sun.

“Russell and I have a good understanding.

“We have played together a few times, and we understand each other's games.

“I suppose there is a good partnership there, but we will move on to the next match and approach it in whatever way the gaffer sees fit.

“I just try and do a job whenever I am picked to play. I was aware I’d be at centre-half against Slovenia.

“My job was to keep things tight and hopefully play a little bit from the back. We got the 1-0 result, and can move on to the next game.

“We protected Craig Gordon pretty well, but that starts from the front. It’s not just about the players at the back.

“A lot of people speak about central defenders, and how we need dominant players in there, but it is a team game.

“We defend and attack as a team. We defend from the front, and we play from the back. That’s what we did.”