‘I was in tears’ – Ex-Rangers & Hibs ace Jason Cummings reveals bizarre reason he MISSED Australia boss’ World Cup call
JASON CUMMINGS has revealed the reason he MISSED one of the most important phone calls of his life.
The former Rangers, Hibs and Dundee striker was picked for the Australia World Cup squad yesterday.
It was the reward for a superb run of form since moving Down Under to sign for Central Coast Mariners.
Cummings, an ex-Scotland international, is eligible for Australia through his mother.
He made his debut for the Socceroos in September, scoring a goal from the penalty spot.
Those exploits left him well-placed for an outside shot at making the final squad for Qatar.
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Cummings was included alongside a total of SEVEN Scottish-based stars in the squad and a couple more who have previously played in Scotland.
But the 27-year-old has told of how he actually MISSED the initial phone call that told him he'd made it - because he was still snoozing.
He explained: "I actually got woken up by my gran, who phoned me at half seven in the morning.
"I looked at my phone and was like 'Gran never phones me, it must be something to do with the Socceroos'.
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"I actually missed the call (from Graham Arnold) because I was still half-asleep but then I went on and checked my phone and I could see I got a text from James from the Socceroos.
"He messaged me saying 'Hi Jason, congratulations, you're going to Qatar.'
"The euphoria came over me and I just jumped out of bed, I was buzzing, I actually got a wee bit emotional as well, I was tearing up a wee bit.
"I phoned my mum straight away, seen my dog on the Face Time and my family were just over the moon, it was a surreal moment."
Cummings also posted a message on Instagram sharing his delight at getting the call and referencing how his move to Australia made him fall back in love with football again.
He said: "World Cup 2022!! Wow I am buzzing.
"Can't believe it - so proud to be part of this team.
"Thanks to the Central Coast Mariners, I wouldn't be in this position without them.
"I came to Australia and fell back in love with football.
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"A lot of people wrote me off but I never stopped believing in myself.
"You can't keep a good dog down. World Cup let's go!"