Leeds captain called in for crunch qualifiers

Uncapped defender gets nod as Strachan relishes next month’s double-header

Leeds United captain Liam Cooper has been called into the Scotland squad for next month’s World Cup double-header against Slovakia and Slovenia.

The uncapped defender has been included in his second squad after first joining Gordon Strachan’s pool in March.

Cooper is in for Russell Martin, who has not featured for Norwich City since a 4-0 defeat by Millwall on August 26.

Another Norwich player, Steven Naismith, and Fulham midfielder Tom Cairney have also dropped out.

Hull City keeper Allan McGregor is included for the qualifiers after missing out through injury last time around, with fellow Tigers shot-stopper David Marshall not included.

The Scots host the Slovaks at Hampden on Thursday October 5 then travel to face the Slovenians the following Sunday.

Strachan can sense his players are relishing their date with destiny next month.

His side go into their final two World Cup qualifiers knowing that victory over both Slovakia and Slovenia would guarantee second spot in Group F and a potential play-off place.

There was a stage when even the Hampden visit of Slovakia on October 5 risked being a meaningless encounter for the Scots after they took four points from their opening four matches.

But 10 points in their subsequent four games ensure Scotland go into the double-header with belief.

“This squad and these players have shown that they can deal with big games,” said Strachan, “and that’s why they have been picked again.

“I’m looking forward to catching up with them, it’s always good to catch up with good players who are feeling good about themselves. It’s a privilege to work with these guys.”

The Scotland manager added: “If we didn’t have belief in each other we wouldn’t be at the stage where we could talk positively understanding that our destiny is in our own hands.

“If there were any people who didn’t believe in what we were doing or didn’t trust us then we wouldn’t be here. But we are here and we are all relishing it.

“I spoke to one or two lads over the past few weeks and they are really looking forward to this. They think this is huge and they all want to be involved.

“Between them and the five million people who are supporting us – and I know they are supporting us because I bump into them every day no matter where I am in the world – we are looking forward to a great occasion.

“We know it could be an occasion that we get disappointed, but we are not thinking that way.

“We believe destiny is in our own hands for these two games and, the way the players have been performing, we relish the challenge.”

On Cooper, who represented Scotland at youth level, Strachan said: “He’s playing well.

“He’s playing in a winning side and he is a big influence on the side, he is the captain now.

“That’s big progress for Leeds, which is good, and himself.

“I probably should have had him in the last squad to be honest, but I made sure I didn’t make the same mistake again.

“Because of his performances, he is back in the squad.

“He has been highly-rated by my scouting staff and myself over the past couple of months.”

West Brom’s Darren Fletcher and Sheffield Wednesday striker Steven Fletcher are both included after withdrawing through injury last time.

Picture: SNS Group. Liam Cooper: Strachan admits he made a mistake in leaving the Leeds captain out of the last squad, but was determined not to do it again.