The 28-year-old Blackpool keeper was drafted into the Craig Levein's squad for the first time for the forthcoming Euro 2012 qualifiers against Lithuania in Kaunas on Friday and Liechtenstein at Hampden on Tuesday week.

Gilks is eligible through his grandmother from Perth whom he claims instilled in him the Scottish spirit.

"I do (feel Scottish) to be honest," he said.

"Scotland was definitely my first choice.

"My grandmother was born in Scotland and she was a massive influence on me growing up and within our family so I have always leaned towards Scotland, rather than England.

"I've been to Scotland a few times. I'm good friends with David Marshall and I came up to Hampden for the Macedonia game.

"The atmosphere at the game was fantastic. At half-time, the place was jumping.

"I was having a coffee, listening to all the singing, and just thought to be a part of it all would be amazing.

"So I'm more than grateful to be here.

"To be a part of it, to be called up now, it's going to be even better."

Gilks denied he had criticised Fabio Capello for not giving him a chance with England.

The former Rochdale keeper was quoted as saying: "Everybody knows I'm English but England don't come knocking on the door of Blackpool. They look at the bigger clubs."

However, Gilks said: "I'm not disappointed that he didn't come to me at all, I'm more than happy to come to Scotland.

"England have a set-up, from the under-21s downwards, there are keepers in the system, there are players to step up to the senior level.

"I've got no God given right just because I'm now playing in the Premier League.

"I played against (David) Stockdale of Fulham on Saturday and he did extremely well.

"And I also think there are keepers in the Championship who have just as much reason to be called into the squad as I have.

"I'm more than happy. I'm so proud to be here.

"I know what it means to my family and to myself personally."

Levein has admitted he will continue to look all over the UK and beyond for players eligible to represent Scotland and Gilks revealed how his call-up came about - and how the news was received by his Blackpool boss Ian Holloway.

"I had a meeting with my agent a few weeks back and he gave him (Levein) a call," Gilks said.

"The SFA asked for my papers to be sent up to check my eligibility about three or four weeks ago.

"It was more just to let them be aware, rather than to be called up.

"But the squad was announced last week and I was in it.

"He (Holloway) had a bit of a mickey-taking session, calling me 'McGilks' and stuff like that before I came up.

"I think he is delighted for me to get the call - but he won't let it show."