James Penrice reckons his journey from Scotland's third tier to his first call up to the national squad has "been a bit mental".

At 27, the left-back currently on loan to Rangers from AEK Athens admits he has been a late bloomer.

"Nowadays, there are 17 and 18-year-olds winning World Cups and, when they are 21 or 22, they think their career's done," he told Sky Sports.

"But I think I was League 1 at 23, so it's all about putting your head down and hard work."

Penrice came through the youth ranks with Partick Thistle.

"It's been a slow rise," he admitted. "Don't get me wrong, when we dropped into League 1, there's was part of me that thought I was kind of done and I'd be in part-time football.

"Especially when Covid hit, I was looking at courses and thinking of life after football, but from then I kind of got my head down."

Penrice was given what he thought was his "last chance" at full-time football by Livingston.

"I think I grasped it and I moved to Hearts and the season wasn't great, but it was a good personal season for me and then I obviously moved to Greece," he said.

"So it's been a bit mental from where I was at 20-21, but it makes it more interesting, doesn't it?

"Don't get me wrong - you need luck in football, but you can create your own luck.

"So hard work, really sticking at it and believing in yourself and you've always got a chance."