What a great 12 months it has been for Paul Devlin. The 31-year-old Brummie has made his Premiership debut as well as finally breaking into international football with Scotland at the age of 30. When he stepped into the international arena against Canada he joined a list of players such as Stuart Pearce, Chris Waddle and Ian Wright who have progressed from non league all the way through to the top of the game. Despite starting the campaign on the bench at St Andrew's, Devlin is still keen to play a part in Steve Bruce's Birmingham revolution. Ian Clarkson spoke to Devlin for givemefootball about what the future holds in store for him.
Q:YOU HAVE BEEN LINKED WITH ONE OR TWO CLUBS - WHAT IS THE SITUATION WITH YOURSELF?
A:I am not in any rush to leave. The gaffer has told me that three or four clubs were interested, but it would have to be right for both the club and me. In fairness to the manager, he said he didn't want me to leave and I could still have a big part to play this season.
Q:IT WAS A GOOD CAMPAIGN FOR YOU LAST YEAR WASN'T IT?
A:I am happy at Blues as I started 21 games and was substitute for the rest. I also scored the first ever Premiership goal at St Andrew's for the club as well as a penalty in the play-off final. With the squad we have here you have to be realistic because at the end of last season, the boys were on a great run. Although it is frustrating you have got to be patient.
Q:HOW MUCH HAS THE PREMIERSHP CHANGED SINCE YOU PLAYED IN THE TOP FLIGHT WITH NOTTS COUNTY IN 1992?
A:In those days there were only a couple of foreigners plying their trade, but the league has improved no end since then. Now every team has a world class performer like Christophe Dugarry, Thierry Henry and Ruud van Nistelrooy.
Q:HOW MUCH DID WINNING YOUR FIRST INTERNATIONAL CAP MEAN TO YOU?
A:It was a real boost for me to play for Scotland. Reaching the Premiership at last helped me greatly and there were rumours of a call-up before I finally received a call from the Scottish FA asking me if I would be interested.
Q:WHAT HAPPENED NEXT?
A:Shortly afterwards Bertie Vogts gave me a call on my mobile phone and told me I was in the squad for the game against Canada. I have to say it was an interesting conversation with his German accent and my Brummie tones!
Q:WHAT IS THE TARGET FOR THE TEAM THIS SEASON?
A:Being realistic, it will be an achievement if we can avoid relegation again. We will need to consolidate for around three years and keep adding quality players to the squad if we are to improve. In all fairness, we have brought some great players in this summer, but we are still in a group of clubs who could go down and our first objective must be to avoid that.
Q:ARE YOU PLEASED YOU MADE YOUR WAY INTO THE GAME THROUGH NON LEAGUE?
A:I'm really glad I made it into football the way I did. At the age of 16 I was playing against grown men and working for a living. It really makes you appreciate what you have got now when you have worked for a living. I trained as a chef for 18 months, but that interfered with football so I worked as a labourer - usually for the people who wanted me to play in their football team.
Q:OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUNGSTERS ARE MORE SCARCE THESE DAYS THOUGH, AREN'T THEY?
A:Yes, I suppose they are, but I noticed recently that Chelsea had signed a kid from Bedford and I thought that was great. A club with all their millions are still prepared to take a chance on a non league player and I am sure there is plenty of talent still out there.
