Barry Robson will fly 9000 miles to answer the call for Scotland

Barry Robson has no problems with making a 9000 mile round trip from Vancouver to continue his international career with Scotland.

The 33-year-old midfielder has ended his time with Middlesbrough and will move to Vancouver Whitecaps in Major League Soccer next month.

Robson missed out on Scotland's post-season trip to the United States, which finishes with a friendly match against the USA in the early hours of Sunday morning, because he is at Largs this week taking his coaching badges.

However, when the 2014 World Cup qualification campaigns starts in September, he is ready and willing to fly across from Canada and back if Craig Levein still needs him.

The former Dundee United and Celtic midfielder said: "I am still available. To go out and play at Hampden when the fans are singing Flower of Scotland, you are going to travel from anywhere.

"For that feeling, just to play for your country, it doesn't matter where you are, of course you want to play.

“I managed to play quite well last season in the Championship and picked up a player-of-the-year award. So it doesn't mean I am finished by any manner of means, I am still here and available."

Robson is doing his A License course in coaching before moving to the MLS and said he wanted it done before he left. He has spoken to Scotland boss Levein who supported his decision.

Now Robson is looking forward to the new challenge of Canada and lining up against stars like David Beckham of LA Galaxy and countrymen Kris Boyd of Portland Timbers and Colorado Rapids’ Jamie Smith.

He said: "The league over there is strong, you are getting crowds of 20,000 to 30,000 and it is a good standard with top players.

"But it was a family decision, it was something that appealed to me and my wife and children.

"I just thought about finishing my career playing in a terrific league like that - although, maybe I won't be finishing my career there.

"I think we will really enjoy it."

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