CHE ADAMS has put his soul into playing for Scotland. He had to make sure his heart was up to it first.

His time in dark blue has been brief but encouraging and there is plenty more to come for club and country as Adams seeks to repay the faith that Steve Clarke has shown in him.

The striker seemed certain of a starting spot as his adopted nation returned to the European Championships this summer. When the team was revealed, Adams had to settle for a place on the bench.

His introduction came at the break but he couldn't inspire Clarke's side at Hampden. Ultimately, the damage inflicted by the Czech Republic cost Scotland a place in the knockout rounds.

The disappointment of missing out on a jersey was tough to take for Adams. It is only now that he has revealed the story behind the build-up to his first appearance at a major finals.

The night before the Czech clash, the football world held its breath and hoped for the best as Christian Eriksen, the Denmark captain, collapsed during the fixture with Finland.

The midfielder’s recovery was remarkable. No matter what else happened in the tournament, the highlight was never in doubt from that harrowing yet heroic moment.

Eriksen’s plight gave every player reason to pause and reflect. Adams had his own justifications for making sure every test was completed and double checked before he stepped onto the park.

“Yeah, it is difficult at the start but once you get your head it is okay," Adams said when asked about missing out on a start in the Group D opener. "It is football at the end of the day.

“And to be fair we did have a slight problem before the game actually. Basically an EECG is like a heart scan.

“I had one and they needed to take me to hospital before the game to get more information about that. That could have been another reason why the gaffer decided what he decided.

“No I wasn’t [worried], I think they just needed more data to prove [that I was alright]. Obviously with what happened with Eriksen everyone had to do a EECG heart scan.

"That was all that was, I think they just needed more information and data to back it up. So all good."

Thankfully for Adams, there would be no complications or concerns and he would start the draw with England and defeat to Croatia as Scotland fell short in Group D.

The Leicester-born forward ended the tournament without hitting the target but he had reached another landmark moment in a journey that has now taken him to the Premier League with Southampton.

The concern from Clarke before the Czech clash was appreciated. Adams is now solely focused on the future and his next achievement in dark blue.

“Not me no, just other people," he said when asked if he had ever had a heart issue before. "I think it is just a standard thing. Everyone has to do it and everyone is going to go through it over the next couple of years.

“I think [the manager was concerned]. He probably was [trying to protect me].

“It was a standard thing at the time, nothing serious but he wanted to protect me and I think it was the right decision.

“It is just one of those things you just have to get over. We lost the game but it was a good performance and as I say, we have to get right for these next games.

“Yeah, I am alright. I have had scans like that before and nothing has come up.

“I think it was probably more a case of these guys were more worried about it than me because I knew what happened and what I had done. So they just needed more information and back up data to be alright.”

When Adams stepped onto the park at Hampden and replaced Ryan Christie as a half-time substitute, he made his family proud. He also made history.

He would become the first black player to represent Scotland at a major finals. His inspiration may not have seen him in action, but that moment will leave a lasting legacy on the next generation.

Adams said: “Really? I know my family is proud of me anyway and it is just a shame my gran is not here to see me put on the jersey but, yeah, I think it is just symbol of how things are changing and I am excited to be part of that.

"I have been up to Scotland a few times before I decided to switch over but, yeah, I love it, every time I come up here everyone is so helpful and so friendly. I get that from my family as well, they are the same, so I can relate."

The experience of the Euros will live with Adams for a long time to come. At 25, he has plenty more to give for the nation that he has been made to feel part of ever since joining up with Clarke’s squad in March.

His next outing will come against the side that he scored his first international goals for as Scotland make the trip to face the Faroe Islands on Tuesday evening.

When he was attempting to make a name for himself in the lower reaches of the English game, he dare not have dreamed that he would one day have international recognition to his credit.

“No, never," Adams said. "I have only just come off the buzz of the Euros. That was the best experience of my life and to share it with these boys was unbelievable.

"We have to take it slowly but I think we will get there in the end. I am trying to take it all in my stride but I am buzzing and delighted to be here!

"I think [the challenge is for Scotland is to be more consistent]. That is the main thing in football, consistency, and if you have that right then you are in a good place.

"We definitely have the quality to trouble any team that we play against; it is just about self-belief and confidence because consistency is the hardest thing in football.

“After a few more big results everyone will be on the same page and raring to go.”