MENSTRIE bowler Steven Allan is eyeing up more major silverware when he represents his country in Belfast next month.

The 30-year-old has been selected to take part in the Gents International Series, along side some of the biggest names in the sport.

Paul Foster and Alex Marshall, both MBEs, well-known for winning the pairs event at the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games, along with being part of the fours team, are included in the team.

Neil Speirs, who was also part of the victorious Scotland fours squad, has been called up along with some of Steven's teammates at his current club in Falkirk.

And with such a wealth of talent and experience in the side, the Clacks man is convinced Scotland have what it takes to win the championship.

He told Advertiser Sport: "I know all the guys that are going too; a few of them are world stars. We'll have Paul Foster and Alex Marshall, with Scott Kennedy the captain.

"Martin McCalley and Mark Hutchison are also coming along from Falkirk.

"So, we certainly have the players capable of winning it and I'm confident in the team picked."

Steven will join up with his teammates for three days of consecutive competition against teams from the home nations.

On Thursday, March 16, Scotland play Ireland, who have never won the Hilton Trophy, before playing Wales the following day.

Then on the Saturday, they face off against England for the final game of the contest.

Being called up for Scotland duty is no one-off for Steven, who is able to boast a long list of honours in the game.

He was first capped for the U-25s side when he was only 16 and later captained them in his last year of being eligible.

Steven has since been selected for the indoor and outdoor gents teams for the past few years.

Though he recently took himself out of the pool for consideration – due to having a child – he is back now and fully focused on winning the trophy.

And though he has had to move clubs recently, his heart remains with his old stomping ground at Menstrie Bowling Club.

He said: "I played at Menstrie all my days; but last few years I've been at Falkirk.

"I still find it really hard to leave Menstrie, though. My dad and brother are still there so it's a bit of a family thing.

"It was my dad that got me in to bowls in the first place. I got a good start but you have to work hard and practice a lot when you're younger.

"I've been playing bowls for around 20 years, but I'm still going out there to win."

Before then, however, the Falkirk club will face off against East Lothian for the Scottish League Championship this Saturday.

Steven will be vying with some of his Scotland teammates on the day, before heading off to Belfast together in a few weeks' time.