Born-again McInnes finds that life begins at 31

Roy Keane may have closed the book on his international career, but for Derek McInnes the story is, one hopes, just beginning. The West Bromwich Albion captain will make his Scotland baptism on Wednesday night at 31 years old, the same age Keane is calling it quits.

The pair were born within a month of each other and shared a pitch together yesterday as the Premiership's newest recruits went to Old Trafford. For his Manchester United counterpart, the occasion offered respite from a week of scrutiny over that controversial autobiography; for McInnes it was a chance to underline he is ready to be part of a new chapter for his own country. There was another parallel for the two men – McInnes's sending-off for serious foul play provided a warning that discipline is a vital commodity at such an exalted level.

Scotland's failure to reach the World Cup finals has seen Berti Vogts introduce a flood of young debutants in his five months in charge, yet with the European Championship qualifying group just around the corner he is anxious not to write off those at the other end of the age spectrum. McInnes may be a blank page in international terms, but that could change if he impresses in the friendly with Denmark at Hampden Park.

"You appreciate things more when they come to you later in life," McInnes reflected on Friday. "Being involved with Scotland at my age is something I will cherish. There is a stigma about age for footballers in their thirties, but I think I am a better player now than I was five or six years ago."

McInnes' own revival mirrors the one he has contributed to at the Hawthorns. The midfielder has rubbed shoulders with the élite, but is only now flourishing after spending too much time in the shadows. Celebrated names such as Paul Gascoigne and Alain Giresse no longer intimidate the mature Scot, who has grown up after uncertain times at Rangers and in France.

"I was a bit disappointed not to get a call last season," he said. "I knew Berti Vogts was going for a fresh start, and had a policy of introducing youngsters, which is the right thing because he wants a team that will be in place for years. Scott Dobie [the West Brom striker who scored on his debut against South Korea in June] benefited from that. I did think the chance had passed me by, but I am really grateful the manager has found a place for me in the squad. It's a big step up, but the ball is in my court."

The man behind McInnes' renaissance is Gary Megson, who brought him to West Brom two seasons ago from the French club Toulouse and instantly made the Scot his captain. "Having a manager who had confidence in me has made a real impact on my career," said McInnes. Such faith was lacking at Ibrox, where he spent four years but was marginalised once Dick Advocaat replaced Walter Smith. "I loved being at Ibrox, because Rangers was the club I supported, and playing alongside guys like Gazza was an education.

"I was unlucky with injuries there, but while I was winning medals and playing in the Champions' League, it was no disgrace not to get in the team when the manager is paying £5m for midfielders. I probably stayed a year too long and I knew for the sake of my career that I had to get away."

Sadly, his next destination, Toulouse, was a bit of a cul-de-sac. "There was a lot of politics, as is always the case with French clubs." A feud between Didier Couceau, the general manager, and Giresse, the coach, meant that McInnes was treated with suspicion by the latter. "The pair disliked each other and I think Giresse always felt I was Couceau's signing. Giresse was pleasant towards me and we got promotion to the French first division, but the place was awash with money and only one of the promotion-winning side played the following season."

The west Midlands was a haven of tranquillity after that and McInnes repeated his promotion trick to end West Bromwich Albion's two-decade exile from the top flight. "That was my biggest, personal achievement," McInnes said. "I won three championship medals at Rangers, but apart from one season – when I played in 35 games – I don't think I played a big part in any of them." The biggest role of all, for Scotland, may yet be to come.