Johnnie Beattie has long been in the shadow of his father but he has revealed he is now also playing catch-up to his baby sister.

Beattie, who turns 24 next Saturday, will make his first Scotland appearance for more than two years in this weekend's opening autumn international against Fiji.

The Glasgow number eight has been on the Test scene since 2006 but the inconsistency which has dogged his game has limited him to just four caps to date.

That is well behind the 25 won by his father John, who also boasts two British and Irish Lions tours on his CV.

And the last 18 months has also seen him overtaken by sister Jennifer, who has been awarded 21 over that period for the Scotland women's football team.

Jennifer, 18, also joined Arsenal Ladies this summer, one of the best club sides in the women's game.

Beattie told Press Association Sport: "I think she's already got near enough 20 caps and she's 18.

"I've got four caps, so she's firmly ahead just now."

Beattie has a football background himself, having played for Rangers' youth teams, and has shown glimpses of that ability during his rugby career.

But he admits his sister comes out on top on that front as well.

"She can pretty much play anywhere; she's pretty useful," he said.

"So wherever there's a hole, she can go and play."

Despite being outshone by two of his own immediate family, Beattie insists it is not a burden being related to them but an inspiration, especially with his father having played the same position.

He said: "It makes it a lot easier in the first instance because you realise if my dad can do it, he's only human, maybe there's a chance that I can do it."

Beattie has yet to watch his sister play for Arsenal due to his Glasgow commitments and revealed she was likely to be on club duty this weekend.

"Hopefully, there'll be one point where there's no clash and we'll get to go and watch each other, which will be good," said Beattie, who hopes to have as many family members as possible at Murrayfield on Saturday.

And he is determined to make the most of his big chance this weekend.

"It's been strange being part of the squad and sort of in and out," he said.

"But the realisation now that you're in a match 22 for the first time in a while and you've got a chance, it's a massive opportunity and something that I'm really looking forward to."

Beattie has had almost two weeks to get used to the fact he will be starting after head coach Andy Robinson informed the squad of his XV last Monday.

"There's pressure to get things nailed down and understand the team calls and team plays and who you're working with, which has been good fun," said Beattie, who is one of the players charged with ensuring Scotland's attack functions on Saturday.

"We're all assigned to different things," he said of Robinson's radical leadership model, which includes Chris Cusiter and Mike Blair being appointed co-captains.

"John Barclay, Graeme Morrison are in charge of defence; I get a hand in attack. It's really hands on and all the players take more ownership for what's happening on the pitch.

"It's good for developing the way we want to play and our understanding of the game itself."

Robinson has picked a physical side in order to combat the threat of Fiji and Beattie cannot wait to get stuck in.

"We've got to match them and look to dominate," he said.

"I think with the Fijian boys, you know it's going to open up a little bit as well, so we have to be looking to win those physical encounters."

Fiji are notoriously unpredictable but Beattie said: "I think with Nicky Little, who controls things down at Bath, they'll have a well-organised and structured back line, which will be a lot more regimented than we will have seen in years past."

Having become used to being in and out of the side, Beattie admits he does not know whether a good performance will be enough to cement his place.

He added: "I've been given a chance with Fiji and I've got to go out and play my heart out."