Leeds leader Cooper can still come of age after false start
THE search for a highclass centre-half to play as an automatic, stalwart pick for Scotland through the peak years of his career may be over. The problem position could be solved by finally handing a cap to a man who last pulled on the dark blue in September 2009 at Stirling Albion’s Forthbank Stadium in a defeat to Iceland for the Under-19s.
And who has been kicking around consideration for the senior side ever since Gordon Strachan’s ear was bitten by then-Leeds United boss Steve Evans about the improving talent that was Liam Cooper in December 2015.
A decade is a long time to be ignored while in the system, firstly by the Under-21s and then, even after call-ups, under the noses of Strachan and Alex McLeish.
But Cooper, who turned 28 on Friday, suggests he probably has only come of age recently to be in prime condition to make a senior Scotland bow.
Under the manic tutelage of Marcelo Bielsa, Cooper is captain and one of the star men as Leeds mount their most serious shot yet at returning to the Premier League they dropped out of in 2004.
Considering Colin Hendry was 27 when earning the first of his 51 senior caps for Scotland, Cooper certainly has time on his side as he eyes twin aims of representing the country of his grandfather’s birth and playing at the English top level.
‘I hope I can become Scotland’s No1 centre-back, that’s the dream for me,’ said Cooper. ‘I’m confident in my ability, I’m playing the best football of my career and I’m really enjoying it.
‘Hopefully I can be a Premier League player next season and in a year I’ll be speaking to you having achieved all that.’
Cooper, whose dad’s dad hailing from Bo’ness is the route to Scotland eligibility, first joined up with Strachan’s squad in March 2016 for a friendly against Denmark before failing to make an appearance.
He was an unused sub at home to both Canada and Slovenia a year later and watched from the bench again as hopes of a first World Cup appearance since 1998 died in Ljubljana in October 2017.
‘At the time when you don’t play, you’re bitterly disappointed,’ said Cooper. ‘But, looking back now, maybe I wasn’t ready for international football the other times I was called up and that’s why I wasn’t selected.
‘Every manager has their reasons for not picking you. And maybe I would have been back in sooner if it hadn’t been for niggling injuries last year.
‘That’s football. I don’t think you can get too downhearted.
‘I’ve always believed I would get back into the set-up. I’m very confident in my ability. I think my game suits international football. In the back of my head I was always confident of stepping up to represent my country.
‘I started to perform better and more consistently over the past few seasons, I’ve learned so
much. And at this moment in time, I feel that I’m ready to step up and play. I’m ready to make my debut on Friday. I can’t wait.’
Cooper left hometown club Hull City for Chesterfield before landing a £600,000 move to Leeds in 2014. Now starting a sixth season at Elland Road and second under Argentine guru Bielsa, Cooper credits the current coach with transforming his game and preparing him for anything international football throws at him.
‘I feel as if I have come into my own over the past two years under the manager, he has brought my game on in so many levels,’ said Cooper. ‘I’m the fittest I’ve ever been, that’s his biggest thing. He wants us to be able to run and make options. We attack, we attack — and we attack!
‘We attack from the back, so you have to be on your game. I feel like I’m coming to the prime of my career now I’m 28.
‘Leeds are a very demanding club and being skipper is a huge responsibility. A lot of the credit for the call-up has to go down to the manager (Bielsa) and his staff. The way they have brought
me on as player and given me the responsibility of captain has been invaluable.
‘Steve Clarke is going to have his own ideas but as a player you have to be adaptable to different styles. I feel I can play any position in a three or a four.’
Clarke lost his partnership of Scott McKenna and Charlie Mulgrew when the Aberdeen defender was hurt last weekend, joining John Souttar and Stuart Findlay on the injury list. In a further blow, Norwich centrehalf Grant Hanley is also a doubt after picking up a groin strain in training.
The Scotland boss was at Tynecastle yesterday to run the rule over Craig Halkett in Hearts’ 2-2 draw with Hamilton.
David Bates is another option, who was an unused substitute in Sheffield Wednesday’s 2-1 loss to Queens Park Rangers.
A stickler for a well-drilled, nononsense back four, Clarke may find Cooper and his ability to take on board Bielsa’s demands coming in handy when the Scotland boss is so unaccustomed to having precious little time to work on his defenders.
‘It’s difficult, you go into a club job and I think you’ve probably 12 weeks where you’re working with them day in, day out and setting and shaping your team,’ said Clarke. ‘You’re not going to get that in international football, so you’re relying on and hoping those players are at this level for a reason, that they are good, intelligent players.
‘Hopefully, whichever pairing or back four I go with, they have a good understanding because if you’re difficult to beat you always have a chance to win a game.’
Cooper is well aware of the rich Scottish heritage he will forever become part of if leading Leeds back to the top flight. There are reminders of Strachan, Gary McAllister, Gordon McQueen and Billy Bremner everywhere he turns and he has club ambassador Eddie Gray on hand to offer advice and talk Scotland.
‘Eddie always has good things to say about the national team,’ said Cooper. ‘It is good to speak with people who have been there and done it.
‘I grew up as a Leeds fan. Leeds were always the biggest team in Yorkshire, so I’m fortunate that I’ve been able to play for the club and captain them as well.
‘The David O’Leary team that did so well in the Champions League was the one I grew up with, watching all of those big European nights.
‘Hopefully we’ll be back in the Premier League in the not too distant future.’
I’ve always believed I’d get back in the set-up. I hope I can be Scotland’s No 1 centre-back