Injuries to a string of midfield regulars then left the U21 manager with no alternative but to give Barton his debut in Macedonia earlier this month. Barton impressed and then played even better against Portugal just 4 days later, scoring England's only goal.
But the midfielder knows he has to keep his place at City and keep performing if he is to break into the senior squad.
Barton said: "I think if you are playing well at a big club like City, week-in, week-out, then international honours will follow."
The man was recommended to Platt by team-mate, Trevor Sinclair, and fellow Scouser, Steven Gerrard, added: "It is about being at the right club and I think I am because we are going to be challenging for things."