CANADIAN HIGH FOR SPOONY Saint excited for international experience
David Wotherspoon has spoken of his delight after being called into the Canadian national squad.
The St Johnstone midfielder and former Perth High School student joins up with the team at a training camp in Murcia, Spain this week.
Wotherspoon, who qualifies to play for Canada through his mum, could even feature in a friendly match against New Zealand on Saturday.
“It has been ongoing for a while now after I put it out there,” Wotherspoon said.
“They were very interested and I had wanted to see what opportunities might be possible.
“My mum, Sheila, was born in Winnipeg and it is through her ties that I managed to get my Canadian passport.
“My grandparents were over there living for 12 years.
“The Canadian Federation have been very supportive and have been keeping in touch.
“I see it as a great opportunity for international football and who knows what the future holds after football for me and my family if I want to go there and live one day.
“I’m delighted to get the call now and be selected for the squad. The family are happy for me as well.
“I have been excited about the thought of it for a while now. I have had the training gear on and even that has given me a buzz.
“We play New Zealand at the weekend and obviously it would be great to be involved.
“The next get together isn’t until September. Canada have Nations League games coming up against the Virgin Islands, Dominica, St Kitts and Nevis and French Guiana. They are also qualifiers for the 2019 Gold Cup.”
Wotherspoon sought the advice of fellow former Scotland U21 internationalist Scott Arfield, who has played over 10 times for Canada.
He said: “The prospect of playing for Canada really appealed to me. All the feedback I have been getting from the coaches has been optimistic.
“It would be great to play at full international level.
“It is never too late to get a call up for an international squad. I remember David Weir getting into the Scotland set-up at 27 or 28.
“He’s not on this week’s trip but I spoke to Scotty Arfield about it and
to training commitments in the USA.
But, speaking from Atlanta, he said:“It is fantastic to win as it justifies what I’ve achieved in the past year.
“Even more so because I know how much strength and depth we have in terms of talent in Perth and Kinross.
“Last year was huge in terms of development. To progress off the Challenge Tour quickly and perform when I needed to gave me huge confidence.
“People get behind you so much and it helps in tough times.
“The support I have had from so many goes unnoticed. My family, girlfriend and close friends have been incredible. They really got me through the tough spell I had.
“I am incredibly grateful for all the support I receive. That’s the great thing about being from a small town in a county that loves sport.
“I’m aware that people are looking out for me. At the golf club they are always talking to me about my results and where I’m going next.
“Plus my grandad has been telling his friends and everyone in Perth about me for years!”
The thought of being a role model in the world of sport is a special one for Bradley. But he isn’t ready to rest on his laurels. There is more to come.
“I suppose that the rewarding part of potentially being successful is that you can hopefully be a role model and inspire others to get into golf and sport,”he said. “But you’ve got to be successful yourself first.
“Now it’s about a lot of determination, practice and a never give up attitude. The attitude I showed during the back nine in Oman to win my card.
“I’m currently practising in Atlanta. Once I get home it will be about continuing the good habits before heading out to Spain, Morocco and hopefully China. But watching The Masters will be a key part of my plans.”