Filip Benkovic is hoping that his Celtic form can help him make the international breakthrough.
The defender has been a regular for Croatia at u-21 level and has quickly impressed since joining Celtic on loan from Leicester City at the end of August.
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Dedryck Boyata has managed to work his way into the Belgium side while playing in an unfashionable league with Benkovic hoping to do likewise.
“I like this style of play here,” he told The Sun. “It’s something new for me. It will help me in the future. I like the challenges here. This week is a big challenge for me.
“I want to progress. Every game and every day, I give 100 per cent.
“There are now many older players for Croatia. In the future, there will probably be some changes with that generation. For me, it’s all about being professional on the pitch, believing in myself and I’m sure it will come.”
As he switched from Zagreb to Leicester in the summer Benkovic watched Croatia progress to the final of the World Cup, memorably beating England at the semi-final stage.
Liverpool’s Dejan Lovren and Besiktas defender Domagoj Vida are currently the men in possession for the national side as the qualifying process for the 2020 European Championships get underway.
There is a clause in the deal between Leicester and Celtic that allows the English side to recall Benkovic in January but the 21-year-old has stated that he hopes to complete the season as a Celtic player.