Scotland manager Steve Clarke has revealed that Leeds United defender Liam Cooper missed out on his international squad through injury as he voices his frustrations over a leaked conversation with the 27-year-old.
The Leeds centre back was a surprise absentee from Clarke’s first squad as the national team boss, the Daily Record having reported that positive talks had taken place between the manager and player and that he looked set to be included for their games against Cyprus and Belgium.
Now Clarke has lifted the lid on the defender’s absence and the talks held, revealing an injury kept him from playing for his country.
He told the Times: “All these conversations should remain private. That’s why I was a little bit miffed when the Liam Cooper one came out.
“Obviously I did speak to Liam to let him know I was aware of his talents and thought he had a great season at Leeds. Unfortunately he is injured for this particular camp.”
Opinion
It is a massive shame for Cooper that he has been forced to sit out Scotland’s fixtures at the end of the Championship season, for it would have been a great reward for a player who is well deserving of international recognition. He was one of the second tier’s top performers in the heart of defence and Clarke would have no doubt loved to have a player of his quality lining up for his side. International games can be few and far between and the next time Scotland play, Cooper might not find himself at the forefront of the manager’s thinking, depending on how his season at Leeds is going. At least if he had been able to prove himself this time around, he could have staked a claim to be a regular. There is plenty of competition for Scotland and the Elland Road ace has to keep to his high standards to be in with a chance of playing for his country. Next time perhaps.