Cooper calls for Scots to build upon Austria win

LIAM COOPER last night warned Scotland not to render the national team’s biggest result in 14 years meaningless by failing to beat Israel and the Faroe Islands.

Steve Clarke’s side propelled themselves into second place in World Cup qualifying Group F last month when Lyndon Dykes’ penalty secured a precious 1-0 win over Austria.

That victory in Vienna was hailed as the country’s biggest win since beating World Cup finalists France 1-0 in a Euro 2008 qualifier in Paris courtesy of a James McFadden wondergoal in 2007.

And Leeds captain Cooper is desperate to add six points out of six in the international double-header when they host nearest rivals Israel at Hampden tomorrow before travelling to face the Faroes on Tuesday.

Cooper said: ‘That result in Austria means nothing if we don’t now go and win these next two games.

‘It was an unbelievable result, but if you want to do anything in the group, you need to beat those so-called better teams.

‘We managed to do that in Vienna but that is in the past now.

‘It would be a waste if we don’t go and win these next two games — that is all we are focused on doing.

‘We will worry about Saturday first and then we will worry about the Faroe Islands after that.

‘We have got to win these two games. That’s what we have come here to do — and hopefully we can do it.’

Cooper’s last start at Hampden ultimately proved to be memorable for all the wrong reasons.

Part of the first Scotland side in 23 years to line-up at a major finals, Cooper watched as two-goal Patrik Schick sealed a 2-0 win for the Czech Republic from 55 yards.

Cooper did not know it at the time but his Euro 2020 was already over. The defender was left on the bench for the remaining group matches, a 0-0 draw with England at Wembley and the 3-1 defeat to Croatia back in Glasgow that saw the Scots finish bottom of Group D.

But the 30-year-old’s overall experience of being at the competition was overwhelmingly positive and it has whetted his appetite to help Scotland get to the World Cup.

‘The Euros was unbelievable,’ said Cooper (right). ‘We have had a taste of it. It’s there. Now we want to go and play in the biggest tournament in the world.

‘We have another big chance. We have a massive game at home against Israel.

‘It is a sell-out and I think that is the proof in the pudding of what we are doing as a team. Winning football matches and getting to tournaments brings the fans, 100 per cent. They want to see good football and be part of major tournaments. That’s down to us on the pitch, to go and bring that to the nation. We have to generate that excitement.

‘We have to go and put a big performance on, try to get out of this group and get to a play-off and, hopefully, to another major tournament.’

Cooper is the favourite to replace Grant Hanley, with the Norwich defender suspended for the match.

Hanley has grown in stature with the national team over the years and he will be a big loss against Israel. But Cooper is ready to fill the gap and win his tenth cap.

‘Granty’s been brilliant,’ nodded Cooper. ‘I can’t say enough about him. He’s a great player and also a great lad. He’s a big miss for us but it gives someone else an opportunity — whether that’s myself or somebody else.

‘We are all champing at the bit to go and play and do our country proud, and I think whoever goes in will be ready and bang up for the game.’

Saturday night will be the seventh time Scotland have played Israel in three years, with Clarke’s only victory coming on penalties after a goalless Euro 2020 play-off semifinal at Hampden last October.

Given such familiarity, Cooper has exhaustive knowledge of the different dangers posed by Israel’s attackers.

‘I think 70 or 80 per cent of the squads I have been in we have played against Israel,’ he grinned.

‘The good thing for us is that there’s not too much analysing to do. We know how they play. We know what they are all about but it’s the same for them.

‘They have dangerous players like (Eran) Zahavi, (Manor) Solomon, (Moanes) Dabbur and people like that. They are very good players.

‘We’ve got to neutralise them and get our main players into goalscoring positions.’

Cooper has also warned Scotland not to be fooled by the fact Israel lost their last World Cup qualifier 5-0 in Denmark.

Euro 2020 semi-finalists, the Danes are running away with Group F and are capable of thumping any rival.

‘Denmark are probably the best team in the group,’ said Cooper.

‘The fact is Israel have got quality. We know the games we’ve had against them in the past have always been tight. ‘So we won’t take Israel lightly.’