Gauld’s ready to answer the cap call as he shines again in the MLS
RYAN GAULD has reaffirmed his desire to break into Steve Clarke’s Scotland squad after continuing his flying start to life in the MLS.
There is a Tartan Army clamour for the Vancouver Whitecaps star to be given his chance at international level from those who feel the Scotland boss needs more creativity in his side.
Those shouts grew louder as supporters reflected on the single-goal win over Group F minnows Moldova at Hampden on Saturday night.
And the fact Gauld’s rebounded shot led to his new side’s winner against Austin just a few hours later merely strengthened the argument for his inclusion as he helped his side to a fourth victory on the spin in a 10-game unbeaten run.
It was the 25-year-old’s third assist to add to his four goals since crossing the Atlantic for a new adventure in his career. Gauld told Record
“It’s a goal of mine to make it into the national team but I’ve only ever made the squad once.
“So even though I have been doing quite well, it’s not really come as a surprise that I have not been in the squads.
“But hopefully if I can keep performing well… that’s all I can do. One day I hope I get a chance.”
Gauld’s move to Vancouver was delayed due to protracted contract negotiations involving former club Farense.
The Portuguese side threatened to block the move on the grounds they still owned Gauld’s rights.
After rights and contract issues were sorted, Gauld faced a one-day delay in boarding a plane from Portugal to Salt Lake City, Utah – where the Caps were based due to Canada’s Covid restrictions – because, he was told, he was not an EU resident.
He also had to navigate other Canadian and US immigration hurdles.
At one point, he was denied re-entry to the US from Vancouver because a Canadian immigration centre’s computer system troubles prevented officials from recording his fingerprints. He also had to get vaccinated and complete a two-week quarantine.
But Gauld said: “I was always confident it was going to happen. I’ve got a great legal team here that made sure that happened.
“I just had to remain patient and know I was making the right decision, coming to the right place, and I just remained calm about it.”