Strachan requests a warm-up
SAYS TOM CAIRNEY
By Fraser Mackie GORDON STRACHAN has asked for an extra fixture to help him try to fix some Scotland failings before World Cup qualifying resumes against Slovenia.
The national manager, handed a reprieve to remain in the job by the SFA board, does not want to tackle the critical Hampden tie cold after four months without international action.
Strachan has asked chief executive Stewart Regan to find an opponent suitable to provide a preparatory springboard to the challenge of hosting Srecko Katanec’s second-placed side.
His troubled reign, which had been under threat following a 3-0 defeat to England, will now continue with a warm-up friendly the midweek before competitive action resumes on Sunday, March 26.
Strachan used similar tactics in March of last year in advance of the Euro 2016 qualifying home win over Gibraltar.
Northern Ireland, whose manager Michael O’Neill has been trumpeted for the Scotland post, visited Glasgow for a Wednesday game ahead of the Sunday qualifier and lost 1-0 to a Christophe Berra goal.
Luxembourg, ranked 130 in the world, revealed last week they had been in contact with a number of nations including Scotland to arrange a friendly before their Russia 2018 clash with France in March.
ONE of the more curious aspects of Gordon Strachan’s Scotland tenure has been his apparent obliviousness to the talents of Tom Cairney. Fulham’s consistently excellent playmaker has been in the form of his life this season but has received no communication from the SFA — a situation that has persisted since his eligibility for the Under-21 team expired.
A starter in Billy Stark’s team that beat Holland in Nijmegen five years ago, Cairney earned eight caps at that level but has not managed to replicate the achievements of team-mates like James Forrest and Leigh Griffiths in ascending to the senior ranks.
He is in good company. Along with the likes of Ross McCormack, Matt Phillips, Charlie Adam and his former Blackburn and Under-21 team-mate Jordan Rhodes, Cairney is part of a talented group of English-based players whom the national coach has repeatedly deemed unworthy of selection.
On the surface, the news Strachan is to remain in situ would not appear to be good for the 25-year-old, yet there is a quite compelling case for his inclusion when a damaged World Cup qualifying campaign resumes against Slovenia in March.
It was your correspondent’s good fortune to watch Cairney in action as Fulham destroyed fellow promotion chasers Huddersfield 5-0 last month. Although Chris Martin and Kevin McDonald played well (and have both received Scotland call-ups this term) it was Cairney who stood out with a purposeful, skilful performance in central midfield.
Craven Cottage regulars attest to his consistency, yet Strachan has never been sufficiently impressed and he has regularly been left behind while his team-mates go on international duty.
Cairney meets with Sportsmail at Fulham’s south-west London training base and comes across as a confident and, importantly, committed Scot. But he does admit to feeling let down over the past couple of years.
‘I try not to think about it now,’ he admits. ‘Last season, when I was up for player-of-the-month awards, I thought it might happen. I was in good form and when it came round to squad announcements I hoped maybe an injury would help me get in.
‘It was the same earlier this season — shortlisted for an award and thinking: “This time”. It’s probably not good for me. I just need to put it to the back of my head and whatever will be will be.
‘I speak to Chris about Scotland and he loves going away. But it’s Gordon Strachan’s decision. Maybe the hardest thing is getting there. I feel like once I get there and train with the boys, I’d stay in.’
Born in Nottingham, Cairney qualifies through his father Ian, who hails from South Lanarkshire.
‘My dad was young when his father moved south to work in the pit but he always stayed true to his roots,’ explains Cairney. ‘I had all the Scotland kits as a boy and on holiday we’d head up to Uddingston to stay with his family — big Celtic fans.’
Cairney may not be operating at the pinnacle of domestic football but he has played in the Premier League before, breaking into the Hull City team under Phil Brown in 2010.
He made 80 appearances then moved to Blackburn Rovers where he spent two seasons before transferring to Fulham for £3million last year.
Since pitching up in London he has thrived, scoring eight goals in his first season at Craven Cottage and adding another four this season. Recently he’s been captaining Slavisa Jokanovic’s team in favour of former England midfielder Scott Parker. Cairney crowned his 200th senior appearance with a fine goal in Fulham’s 2-0 win at Brentford earlier this month and credits his current excellent form to Jokanovic’s decision to deploy him as the pivotal figure in a midfield three featuring McDonald and former Celtic man Stefan Johansen. ‘I think this is the best form I’ve shown,’ he insists. ‘I’m playing in my favoured position, which is in the middle of a three, rather than out wide on the right where I’ve been used in the past. ‘I just try to make us play really.
‘Johansen has lots of energy and Kev wins most of the balls. I just try to create and nick a goal if I can.
‘I’ve got four this season but I want to beat last season’s tally. When I’m in the right positions, I feel like I can finish and there are not too many of us like that. Goalscoring midfielders, we’re a bit of a dying breed.’
If the return of Scott Brown from international retirement for the defeat to England at Wembley is to prove a one-off, then the fresh blood of Cairney would offer something different.
The chances are Strachan (left) would also find his personality agreeable. The midfielder recently mined some PR gold for his club by, at his own behest, staging a house visit to a young supporter who had supplemented a piece of fan mail with his pocket money.
That set-piece showcased his softer side but he long ago proved his mental toughness by bouncing back from rejection.
‘I was released by Leeds United at 16 for being too small,’ he reflects. ‘It was crazy because two-and-a-half years later I made my Premier League debut with Hull.
‘I’d been at Leeds from the age of seven and it felt like my whole world had ended. I knew I just needed the time. I was a late developer and once I matched everyone physically, it went back to football ability and I came through. The Hull first team did well and it all clicked into place.’
Although Cairney suspects he can do little more to influence Strachan’s thought process, he will have a full say in whether Fulham are successful in their goal of making it out of the Championship this season.
‘Everyone beats everyone in this league — it’s horrendous,’ he jokes. ‘It’s relentless but it’s an exciting league and, if we can stick in around the top six, we’ll have a chance.
‘I want to play in the Premier League. That’s everyone’s dream, isn’t it? I feel like I can play at that level and I think if I get there I will stay there.
‘Personally, I’m very happy but I would love the chance to represent Scotland again at full level.’
I feel like once I get a call-up and train with the boys, I’d stay in his plans