Scots debut would give Phillips a timely lift after play-off woe Published on Thursday 24 May 2012 02:04 Scots debut would give Matt Phillips a timely lift after play-off woe Manager Craig Levein has already indicated that the 21-year-old will earn his first cap against the United States in Saturday's friendly in Jacksonville. For Phillips, the prospect of making his international bow is the ideal tonic just days after the devastating blow of losing the npower Championship play-off final to West Ham. The result may have cost the Seasiders their chance to return to the Barclays Premier League but Phillips can at least look forward to taking the next step in his own personal development. He said: "We had a great season at club level and, personally, I think I had probably my best season. Hopefully, come Saturday, I can cap off a good season with a Scotland cap. It was a massive disappointment at Wembley. We really feel we deserved to win the game. To now come away with Scotland, it's a great feeling and I'm just looking forward to the game. Phillips" impressive form has seen him linked with Everton, Stoke, Reading and Swansea. But he said: "I don't think you can think about things like that until something happens and Blackpool accept an offer. I don't think it will be on my mind. I've still got a season and an option at Blackpool so I'll take it as it comes. Blackpool is a big club and they have a great manager and a great set of boys. I enjoyed my season, I enjoyed playing the football we played and whatever happens will happen. However, Phillips, who netted 18 goals for Ian Holloway's side this season, admits to being flattered by the reported interest. He added: "It's good, it gives you an extra boost to know that you are doing well and that other people are noticing." For now, he is keen to focus on impressing Levein ahead of the World Cup qualifiers, which begin with a meeting against Serbia in September and would officially confirm his status as a Scotsman. Born in Aylesbury and having already represented England at under-19 and under-20 level, Phillips caused a stir when he switched allegiance to Scotland. His eligibility comes courtesy of Scottish grandparents and, speaking at the team's training base in Florida, Phillips said: "I've got no regrets. It was a decision that I made over a long period of time. I've had various meetings with the scout, Mick Oliver, and the gaffer so I'm delighted and I'm looking forward to the future. I always thought it was important to come away before the qualifiers to get the experience and get to know everyone and I'm really looking forward to the games now. A hamstring injury denied him a debut in Scotland's last outing, a friendly in Slovenia in February, and Phillips is delighted the wait is about to come to an end. He said: "Since I made the decision, I've been waiting for the next game. I missed out on the Slovenia game through injury so I'm delighted to be on this trip and hopefully get my cap. I came up and met all the staff and the players in the last squad before Slovenia but I think training is the best place to get to know people and how they play. I had my first training session here this morning. It's nice to be around the lads again and get to know them all.. In terms of being a Blackpool player who excelled this season before Saturday's Wembley disappointment, goalkeeper Matt Gilks is in the same boat as Phillips. Gilks is also hoping to banish the sour end to the season by making his first Scotland appearance in the United States. "I need to focus on the game against the USA but it is going to be hard because I am still devastated by what happened at Wembley," admitted Gilks. All I can think about is being sat in the dressing room afterwards and it was pure silence. There were a few handshakes and "well dones," which we thoroughly deserved after the way we played as a team. But there were no words you can console anyone with really. It was horrible to lose that match and for a whole season's work to go up in smoke. It is going to be on my mind, but unfortunately this is football and you are going to have disappointments during your career. It can't all be good. We are strong characters - you have to be to do this job because of days like Saturday. So I will dust myself down, pick myself up again and I am sure someone will give me a slap if I need it. Gilks can at least take some comfort fron picking up five Player of the Season awards after his impressive form for Blackpool. He added: "One thing I have really tried to be in the last few years is consistent and I don't think I have made too many mistakes, so it is nice that people have noticed that. I feel this has probably been the best season of my career in terms of the way I have played.