GRAY AREA
Scotland defender has ‘secret agent plan’ to help Steve Clarke’s squad and nip Leeds pal’s ear
He's hoping for one last hurrah for himself too
LIAM COOPER has confessed he has turned secret agent for Scotland.
The Leeds defender is trying to talk Elland Road youngster Archie Gray into swapping England for Scotland.
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The 17-year-old son of former Scotland cap Andy and grandson of Frank, who also wore the Dark Blue, is a Three Lions youth star.
Cooper said: “I’m still trying to tap him up, don’t worry! I’ve been a bit of a secret agent. He knows I’ll always be there.
“He’s such a young boy and his family are steeped in Scottish and Leeds history.
“There is definitely a bit of sentiment there, but he’s flying at the minute with England.
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“He’s captain of the England Under-18s, which is a bit of a stinker for us.
“But I’ll keep nipping away at him and hopefully I can break him down.”
The defender is itching to be given the nod in Tbilisi — and the chance to keep alive his dream of a potential finals hurrah with Scotland.
The centre-half is in line to win his 18th cap against Georgia on Thursday, with Kieran Tierney and John Souttar both missing through injury.
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Cooper knows there’s going to be fierce competition for places in Steve Clarke’s 23-man squad for next summer’s Euro 2024 finals in Germany.
That’s why he’s viewing the penultimate Group A qualifier as a massive opportunity for those players not regarded first picks to make a statement.
At 32, Cooper knows his time to shine on the biggest stages of all is running out.
He featured in the opening clash of Euro 2020 against the Czech Republic, but then sat out the group games against England and Croatia.
Cooper said: “I still feel fit and strong, so right now my body is telling me ‘No’. But I won’t beat around the bush, that is certainly in the back of my head.
“So I’ve got to do everything I can to get myself in the squad. I’ll be looking to do that.
“We’ve got a few injuries at the moment, so that gives other lads an opportunity to prove themselves and prove they are ready for the Euros.
“We’ve only got one more camp in between then.
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“So it’s about putting your stall forward and performing to the best of your ability if you get the chance.”
Cooper started last month’s 4-1 friendly defeat to France.
And he is relishing being back among Clarke’s squad as they prepare to face Georgia and then Norway at Hampden on Sunday at a luxury base in Antalya, Turkiye. He said: “I’m sure training will be competitive and we’re looking forward to it.
“There’s a good feeling around the group. Like myself, everyone just wants to be on that plane to Germany.
“It was a rough start to the season. I ruptured my plantar fascia in the very first game after a good pre-season.
“Football throws up these hurdles and I understand it. I actually got back ahead of schedule, so my body is still healing well, like it did when I was a little younger.
“I still feel young in my mind and my body feels the best it has for a while.
“It was nice to get my first 90 minutes in a while and it’s put me in good stead coming into this camp.
“Hopefully I can train well, put myself in the manager’s thoughts and get some time.
“We’ve got that added desire of finishing the group strongly, or maybe win it if Spain slip up.
“We’ve just got to give everything for our country and get two good results in these next few days.
“I know it has been a great campaign already, but there is still that carrot being dangled in front of us.
“I don’t think many Scotland teams have qualified with two games to spare.
“It’s good being away just now. It breaks it up.
“The lads can get a bit of warm weather, although it’s lashing down at the minute!”
Despite qualification already in the bag, Cooper revealed there’s no way anyone is putting their feet up or taking things easy.
He said: “There’s none of that. I think you all know the manager, he won’t let us get too carried away. We had a little celebration after the Spain game in the last camp, then it was straight back down to business.
“The manager wants to finish strongly and the team wants to finish strongly. On the back of three defeats, we need to snap out of that quickly.
“They were against three top-ten ranked teams, but you still don’t want it to become too much of a habit. We want to get back to winning ways.”
Cooper will never forget his taste of Euro 2020 and he is craving more big-time action.
He said: “I think I’m probably one of the only players to ever get promoted behind closed doors and then go and play a Euros behind closed doors.
“You don’t quite get that full experience, although it was still amazing.
“Going to Germany, such a big footballing country with so much history, will be unbelievable after what we’ve managed to do.
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“We’ve got a lot of football to play before then, internationally and with our clubs.
“But it is definitely at the back of your mind. We’re all excited for it.”
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