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Jack Hendry believes being "tested every week out in Saudi Arabia against top strikers" will stand him in "good stead" as he aims to cement his place in Scotland's squad - and starting XI - at the World Cup finals.
The 30-year-old centre-half joined Al-Ettifaq, who sit seventh in the Saudi Pro League, from Club Brugge in 2023.
And he earned his 35th cap as he started Saturday's 1-0 friendly defeat by Japan at Hampden.
"There's a lot of football to be played before the World Cup, so you can't think too much of the future," Hendry said.
"But every minute you are on the pitch, you are trying to impress the manager to get into that World Cup squad and team.
"There's competition all over the pitch. We've got a real good pool of players.
"But I get tested every week out in Saudi Arabia against top strikers. That will put me in good stead.
"If you look at the pool of players out in Saudi Arabia, there are top international players and it can only help me when I come up against them internationally.
"If you look throughout the league, there's a lot of players who will be going to the World Cup."
Hendry thought facing a Japan side who are "ranked 18th in the world and have had one defeat in their last 10" was "a very good test for us", although he was disappointed with the defeat.
He thought playing Ivory Coast in Liverpool on Tuesday would be another "learning curve" against another country with a different style and "good players".
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The 30-year-old centre-half joined Al-Ettifaq, who sit seventh in the Saudi Pro League, from Club Brugge in 2023.
And he earned his 35th cap as he started Saturday's 1-0 friendly defeat by Japan at Hampden.
"There's a lot of football to be played before the World Cup, so you can't think too much of the future," Hendry said.
"But every minute you are on the pitch, you are trying to impress the manager to get into that World Cup squad and team.
"There's competition all over the pitch. We've got a real good pool of players.
"But I get tested every week out in Saudi Arabia against top strikers. That will put me in good stead.
"If you look at the pool of players out in Saudi Arabia, there are top international players and it can only help me when I come up against them internationally.
"If you look throughout the league, there's a lot of players who will be going to the World Cup."
Hendry thought facing a Japan side who are "ranked 18th in the world and have had one defeat in their last 10" was "a very good test for us", although he was disappointed with the defeat.
He thought playing Ivory Coast in Liverpool on Tuesday would be another "learning curve" against another country with a different style and "good players".
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