Grant going down a crabbit hole as he gears up for the greatest show on earth 15 years after Scots debut

GRANT HANLEY was asked how he has changed in the 15 years since making his Scotland debut.

- BY SCOTT McDERMOTT

His response? "A bit older and more crabbit." If anything sums up the big defender's Scottish career, surely that.

But, in a serious vein, the grizzled centre-back has had plenty of adversity to deal with since his debut start over the years.

Handed his start by Craig Levein back in May 2011 against Wales in the Nations Cup, he's had his fair share of adversity to deal with.

After a few qualification failures, it felt like the national team might never reach a tournament again.

On top of that, Hanley also endured injury heartache - as well as a three-year spell out of the squad altogether between March 2018 and March 2021.

For lesser men, it would have been easy to throw in the towel. But anyone who's met Hanley will know he's made of sterner stuff than that. And for all the grit, determination and resilience he's shown, the 34-year-old is now getting his reward when it comes to representing his country.

He's now been part of three major finals and is sitting on 66 caps.

He played every game at Euro 2020 before defying medics to feature at Euro 2024 in Germany.

But now Hanley is heading for the pinnacle - a World Cup in North America next month.

He's not the type to get too excited or emotional. But, after what he's gone through to get here, the Hibs man says playing at a World Cup will make it all worthwhile.

As he prepared for tomorrow's send-off game against Curacao at Hampden, Hanley said: "I've never really sat down and thought, 'This is me at my lowest or this is the lowest point'.