Hearts captain Christophe Berra is adamant he is not in the Scotland squad just to make up the numbers and hopes to play against Croatia.On Monday, the defender was named in George Burley's party for the Hampden friendly against the Euro 2008 finalists on March 26.

Berra was part of the squad that played South Africa in a low-key friendly in August but was forced to look on from the bench for the entire 90 minutes.

With veteran Rangers defender David Weir overlooked by Burley for the visit of the Croatians, Berra is keen to make the most of his chance under his former club manager.

Speaking on Tuesday as he helped Hearts launch their season tickets for next season, Berra, who has been joined in the squad by Hibernian striker and fellow newcomer Steven Fletcher, said: "I am not going along to make up the numbers in the squad.

"He (Burley) has brought in some fresh blood and it's up to me to keep working hard, keep learning as much as I can and you never know - there might be an opportunity for me against Croatia.

"Only time will tell but it's every footballer's ambition to play for their country."

Berra, whose sole start in a Hearts jersey during Burley's short spell at the helm of the Tynecastle club came in a CIS Cup victory over Queens Park, added: "George wasn't here for very long and I think I had just one start when he was manager.

"This is a really important game for everyone given that it is his first one in charge, and everyone will be wanting to impress him.

"George will also want to do well in his first game to set the tone for his management of the national side.

"It is a great boost for me personally and obviously I am very happy to be in the squad.

"There had been a bit of speculation about it over the past couple of weeks but it was just a case of me waiting to see what happened.

"I think I have kept up a consistent level of performance since coming into the Hearts side and the only way you can get into the international squad is by doing well at club level."

Hearts are to play the whole of next season at Tynecastle as they await planning permission to build a new main stand, which they hope to begin work on in summer 2009.

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