Cooper: I’m ready to serve country & be No.1 stopper

He’s waited a decade to pull on a Scotland shirt again but Leeds United skipper Liam Cooper insists he’s ready to be Steve Clarke’s first-choice centre-back.

The 27-year-old last played for his country at Under-19 level against Iceland in September 2009. He has been called up sporadically by different managers since but never made it on to the pitch for his first cap.

Cooper is now excelling under coach Marcelo Bielsa at Elland Road and with Scott McKenna, John Souttar and Grant Hanley crocked, the defender could get his big chance against Russia at Hampden.

It would be the first step as Cooper wants to establish himself as Clarke’s go-to guy. He said: “I hope I can become Scotland’s No.1 centre-back, that’s the dream. I’m confident in my ability, I’m playing the best football in my career and really enjoying it. “Hopefully I can be a Premier League player next season. “I’m ready to make my debut on Friday. I can’t wait. It would be an honour to pull that shirt on and represent my country. Hopefully it happens, I can play well and we get positive results.

“I haven’t spoken to the manager yet but I was aware that he was at our game against Bristol City. It’s always nice to know that Steve and the staff are coming down to watch.

“You want to play well and get recognised. Thankfully I have been noticed and I’ve got a chance now.

“I’m doing the best for my club and if picked for Scotland I’ll do the same for my country.

“I think my game suits international football. In the back of my head, I’ve always been confident that I could step up and represent my country. I feel like I’m coming into the prime of my career.

“Leeds are a very demanding club so stepping up to play for Scotland won’t feel like something new for me.”

Cooper is convinced we can win and put ourselves firmly back in contention to qualify. He said: “I’m still confident about our qualifying hopes and believe we can turn it around.”