I WAITED CHE TOO LONG TO BE A SCOT Adams: I should’ve signed sooner
CHE ADAMS only has one regret when it comes to his decision to sign up for Scotland. He just wishes he had done it sooner.
The Southampton striker took a bit of persuading at first to join the Tartan Army as he politely turned down an initial approach from Alex McLeish.
A few years later he was on board for Steve Clarke and he now admits turning out for the nation of his grandparents has worked out way better than he had ever dreamed.
Leicester-born Adams was part of the England youth set- up and also had the opportunity to sign up for the Antigua and Barbuda national team when he was a kid.
The 25-year-old held fire until Clarke came calling – but he has never looked back. Adams still pinches himself having gone from playing in non-league football down south to reaching the Euros last summer.
And as he gears up for the World Cup showdown with Ukraine, he admits the only downside about the move was he didn’t get on board earlier.
Adams said: “It has been amazing from the minute I walked in the door. It has just been a breath of fresh air.
“We have a really solid group here with good lads all pulling in the right direction. That’s what you need and it’s clear to see it with the performances on the pitch. Everyone knows how together we are, how much we run for each other.
“Do I wish I had committed to Scotland sooner? Yes – exactly that.
“It was difficult at the start with deciding to come but since I first arrived it has been amazing. I’ve got nothing but good things to say about the team and the manager.”
Adams’ entire career has been about making the right calls whenever he got to a crossroads. As a kid it was refusing to give up on his dream despite missing out on a place in the English academy system.
He blazed a trail from Oadby Town in the United Counties League all the way to the Championship and Premier League – then climbing up to international football.
It could have been very different for the frontman at the top level though, as he was courted by other nations and could have been playing in the Caribbean Cup as a kid.
There was also the chance to play for the England semi-pro team in an international event which was scuppered when he went full-time at Sheffield United. In recent times England came close at youth level but Adams now knows the high road to Scotland was the right path. He said: “It’s true I got called up for Antigua to play in the Caribbean Cup but I didn’t really fancy it!
“There were other tournaments as well with England but I made an amazing choice coming in to this set-up.
“You look at where we are and it has been an incredible experience. Everyone has welcomed me with open arms, including the fans. I’ve had amazing responses and I’ve just felt part of the family.
“I’ve loved every minute of it. Everyone’s got that dream to play international football. It makes you a better player.”
Adams still struggles to fathom how he could go from playing in front of one man and his dog to just two games away from the greatest show on Earth.
He said: “I can’t quite believe it. It’s amazing really when you sit down and think about it.
“It’s hard in football to stop and look back because the game is just fast forward all the time. It’s about taking each match and trying to win.”
Adams didn’t get launched straight into the side after Clarke’s courting as he had to bide his time and find his feet.
But now he is a key man, either alongside Lyndon Dykes or up front on his own.
Adams said: “It was difficult when I came in as Lyndon was already here and scoring lots of goals. To partner him has been great, we’ve played well together.
“I can definitely improve as a player and we can as a squad as well.
“These games coming up are massive and it gives everyone this belief Scotland have a great team. I don’t mind where I play. It’s good to play up top on your own and obviously playing with Dykesy makes it a lot easier!
“I’ve played the lone-striker role plenty of times.
“It’s different than playing with two but I like it.”
Adams loves being involved and even though it’s been a long season with Saints, he’s right up for the crack at Ukraine. He
knows Scotland are up against tough opponents – but so are Ukraine. He said: “They have quality. I’ve played against a few of the Ukraine players.
“Zinchenko is a great player. He plays a different position than for Man City. You look at Yarmolenko at Wet Ham, he’s a good player with a lot of quality.
“We’ll sit down and look at their whole team. They are decent – but so are we.
“They will be looking at us and thinking exactly the same thing. We have quality in the squad and great team character.
“That stuff doesn’t come easy. We are also unbeaten in a while and that’s something we need to keep building. The foundations are there thanks to the gaffer and the team. It’s all on the pitch for everyone to see.” And the World Cup would certainly trump the Caribbean Cup.
I can’t quite believe it. It’s amazing really when you think about it
CHE ADAMS ON HOW CLOSE SCOTS ARE TO WORLD CUP