Had Cummings and Murphy still been down south, Scotland might have been short of options
THERE is a freshness to the Scotland squad chosen by Alex Mcleish for the friendly games against Costa Rica and Hungary.
For various reasons, the likes of Scott Brown, Darren Fletcher, Chris Martin, Craig Gordon, Russell Martin, Robert Snodgrass, Ikechi Anya, Barry Bannan and Leigh Griffiths are all missing.
But those stalwarts have been replaced by Scott Mctominay, Dylan Mcgeouch, Oli Mcburnie, Jamie Murphy, Jason Cummings, Scott Mckenna and Kevin Mcdonald.
Like everyone else with our country’s best interests at heart, I’ll be fascinated to see how they do if they are given an opportunity.
Now, I know for the past six or seven years, much has been made of our need for a central-defensive partnership. We were light in that area – and still are.
But big Alex also needs one or two players to emerge as contenders for the No. 9 jersey.
Leigh Griffiths is the man in possession just now. If he was fit and we were going into a vital game, I’m sure he would get the nod.
But he is injured just now and that has left a void.
Steven Fletcher and Jordan Rhodes are not in contention, so there is an opportunity for someone to grab.
The players selected have to take the initiative and show that they have the ability – and mentality – to really put pressure on Griffiths for the jersey.
One man who should be looking to do just that is Jason Cummings.
Until fairly recently, he was getting very little game time at Nottingham Forest. But his loan move to Rangers in January has given him a new lease of life.
We all know he doesn’t lack confidence and has a swagger about him. He can also back it up at domestic level.
He will now be itching for the opportunity to show what he is capable of on the international stage.
He need only look to Griffiths for inspiration, and there are clear lines of synergy between the pair.
Both have come to the fore at Hibs, both moved down south where it never quite worked out for them and now both are scoring freely for the Old Firm.
Of course, Griffiths is ahead of Cummings in terms of achievements and is the whole package as a striker.
But Cummings should believe that good performances this month in a dark-blue jersey will do his chances no harm.
Beyond that, we have the two friendlies in May and June away to Peru and Mexico, and Cummings should be looking to be involved in that tour as well.
He will also have an important decision to make in terms of his club future.
I don’t know what the lad is thinking. But a permanent move to Rangers, if it’s suitable to all parties, looks a good route for him to go down at this stage of his career.
It’s a similar situation for Jamie Murphy.
He wasn’t getting a look-in at the first-team picture at Brighton, but has arrived in Glasgow and has really looked the part at Rangers.
His pace, willingness to dribble and run at defenders, has caught the eye and has added an extra dimension to Graeme Murty’s team.
So Murphy and Cummings coming to Rangers has been good news for big Alex.
Had the pair still been down south, I don’t think they’d have been in the international plans and that might have left the national squad a wee bit short of options up front.
Of course, the same can’t be said of the left-back position. We have now added Barry Douglas to the mix after his excellent spell in the Championship with Wolves.
I just hope that the new Scotland era gets off to a positive start in the next week or two. Regardless of the results, I don’t think we’ll get carried away at this stage.
It would also be encouraging to see a good crowd at Hampden on Friday night for the Costa Rica game.
The SFA deserve credit for pricing the game sensibly as we are not facing the most glamorous opposition.
But I’ll be right behind big Alex and his new backroom staff.
Peter Grant is very experienced and has many miles on the clock.
James Mcfadden is just starting out, and I hope he does well as he tries to climb the coaching ladder. He is a really decent fella.
I want the whole nation to get right behind the management and players, and I wish them all well.