You gotta run befor you can block

'Perfect' set of fixtures preps Devlin

- SCOTT BURNS

NICKY DEVLIN'S parents I will soon have a new fixture at home with their boy's first Scotland shirt getting framed.

And the Aberdeen defender reckons the run of fixtures since pulling it on have been nothing short of "perfect" in his bid to nab another one.

It is fair to say the last month has been one of the best in Devlin's career.

The reliable Dons defender was called into Steve Clarke's squad for the first time and won a first cap in the goalless draw with Portugal.

That came off the back of an October in which the 31-year-old helped keep Aberdeen fighting at the top end of the table and saw him named the Premiership's player of the month, having scored in the wins over Hearts and Rangers.

The 31-year-old's sterling performances have seen him retain his place in the Scots squad for the Nations League double-header with Croatia and Poland.