Danny Fox feels his first international call up in three years is a credit to Saints' progress over the past few seasons.
The left-back was today named in Craig Levein's squad for next Wednesday's friendly against Australia at Hibernian's Easter Road ground.
Fox has not been capped by the Tartan Army since his debut in a 3-0 loss to Wales in November 2009 during his time at Scottish giants Celtic.
"I put it (international football) to the back of my mind because I hadn't been called up for so long, but it's nice," he told Saints Player of his selection.
"It's a compliment to me and a compliment to the staff, the manager and the players that I'm playing with because my form has reflected how we've done as a team.
"Southampton is my bread-and-butter so that comes before everything, but this is an honour and something I want to take with both hands.
"I haven't played in the Premier League for Southampton yet, but hopefully I will do – and hopefully we'll do as well as we did last year as a team.
"The Scotland manager wants Premier League players in the squad so it's nice that he thinks of me as one of those without seeing me play there for a few years.
"I don't want it not to happen again for another three years, so I'm looking forward to it and I can't wait to meet up with the lads.
"It's refreshing and a big confidence booster."
Fox will join up with Levein's squad after this Saturday's home friendly against Italian side Udinese, meaning he will miss out on some of the preparation for Saints' season opener against Manchester City.
But the full-back is hopeful that his chances of featuring at the Etihad Stadium are not affected by his call-up.
"I think it's a bit of a blessing that the [Man City] game isn't until the Sunday," he said.
"I'm gutted I'm going to miss the week building up to that game because it's going to be very intense and everyone is going to be vying for a place in the starting XI.
"I'm sure the lads will all be working hard that week, and hopefully I can come back in and the gaffer won't have forgotten about me so that I can play some part in the Man City game on Sunday."
While Fox's long-term thoughts may be focused on international and Premier League football, Saints have a more immediate concern: Tuesday's friendly against Bristol City.
The Robins were one of only two teams to do the double over Nigel Adkins' men last season, so the 26-year-old is keen to right that wrong at Ashton Gate tomorrow evening.
"Hopefully we can settle that score," he said.
"Bristol City did very well against us last season, beating us twice - they did a job on us and did really well.
"They've got a young manager who has come down from Scotland and he has taken them to another level as a team.
"It's going to be a tough test, and I think that's what you want in pre-season so you are ready when you go into the first game of the season."
To watch Saints Player's full interview with Fox, click here.
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