PAUL Gallagher has described his first call-up to the full Scotland squad as "a dream come true".

The 19-year-old Blackburn Rovers striker has been rewarded by Scotland coach Berti Vogts for the immediate impact he has made in bursting on to the Premiership scene this season.

Despite not starting a game in his five call-ups for the under-21s, Gallagher is now set to make his full international debut against Wales in a friendly at the Millennium Stadium on Wednesday.

He said: "I'm absolutely delighted to get a chance to play for the full squad. I've been in the under-21s squad five times but never started and only come on as a sub twice, so this is a big surprise.

"I never expected to play as many games as I have this season in my position because of the more experienced players we've got here, so it's fantastic.

"I'm just happy to be in the squad and if I get 45 minutes, or any chance to play, it will be a dream come true.

"I went to Cardiff to watch the Worthington Cup final and it's a great stadium. But I've never played there so I'm looking forward to it.

"It will be one of my biggest games, definitely the biggest since my debut for Blackburn."

With no Euro 2004 to look forward to, Vogts is already preparing for the next World Cup qualifying campaign by steering Scotland through a transitional period.

The German coach has also been scouring the First Division for talent and has named three other new English-based players in his squad.

Selecting Reading full back Graeme Murty, Wigan winger Gary Teale and Ipswich Town's Tommy Miller reflects the changes Vogts is intending to impose on his Tartan troops.

Although he is also looking to pluck the best of Scotland's young players who ply their trade north of the border, Gallagher admits that playing in the Premiership has accelerated his progress to the full international squad.

He said: "There's a few good young players in Scotland and Berti is giving them their chance now to get some experience for when the next championships come round.

"There are a lot of young boys in Scotland from clubs like Hibernian getting called up, so you can still be selected if you play up there.

"But down here it's a different ball game altogether. The tempo is quicker and you have world class players all around you so it helps to play in the Premier League."

The backing of another Scottish international, Blackburn boss Graeme Souness, has also helped the teenager prepare for his international baptism of fire against the Welsh Dragons.

Gallagher revealed: "When I was called up for the Future Scotland squad I was injured, but Graeme was determined that I joined up with them.

"I came back and played a game on the following Saturday so it shows he wants me to do well with Scotland."