Ross Graham tipped for Scotland call as Dundee Utd boss Jim Goodwin hopes defender is already in Steve Clarke's mind
Big defender has been imposing presence in both boxes for the Tannadice outfit this season and Goodwin reckons he should be in the frame.
Jim Goodwin reckons Ross Graham should be pushing for a Scotland call-up - and hopes Steve Clarke already has the giant defender on a list of future caps.
The 6ft 3in stopper headed a 75th minute winner as Dundee United edged Ross County in Dingwall on Sunday to all but secure a top six finish. It was Graham’s fifth goal of the campaign. But Goodwin reckons it’s at the other end that the Tannadice academy product has excelled in the meanest Premiership defence outside the Old Firm.
John Souttar, Grant Hanley, Scott McKenna, Jack Hendry, Ryan Porteous and Kieran Tierney have been Clarke’s choice of Scotland centre backs in recent years. But Goodwin reckons former Scotland U21 international Graham has what it takes to be muscling in on the top squad.
He said: “I think it's absolutely something Rossco should have in the back of his mind. Steve Clarke has shown, certainly in his most recent squad, that he is looking at the Scottish Premiership. Lennon Miller has been called in. James Wilson from Hearts has been given an opportunity. At the top end, Kevin Nisbet has been in there and Nicky Devlin was in the squad earlier in the season when Aberdeen were going well.
“Dundee United haven't been outside the top six all season so there’s no reason why some of the lads who are eligible for Scotland shouldn't have one eye on that.
“It's an area of the pitch where Scotland have some very experienced players and, if looking ahead, then I’m sure Ross Graham is one Steve Clarke is aware of. If he continues to perform the way he has for us – playing a big part in a very strong defensive record – then I would like to think that Ross will be on a list somewhere.
“Ross is 6ft 3ins and the perfect profile for a modern-day centre-back. Obviously, his main job is to keep the ball out of our net and win his individual battles like he did on Sunday. But centre-backs need to be a threat in the opposing box.
“And the big man has certainly contributed this season. Five goals, and really important ones, is a great return from a centre-back, especially when you consider the length of time he was out of the team through injury, then having to be patient while the team was on a good run
“He's got his opportunity recently and has certainly grabbed it. We need players from all areas of the pitch chipping in with goals and that's something we've had all season. We've not just had to rely on Sam Dalby.
“Sam's return has been good, but we've had other players popping up with important goals like Vicko Sevelj, Luca Stephenson, Glenn Middleton and Kevin Holt when he was here. Everybody has contributed at some point or another.”
Sevelj partnered Graham at the heart of United’s backline in Dingwall with Declan Gallagher missing through an ankle injury picked up in a bounce game through the international break. Gallagher is expected to sit out this weekend’s top six showdown with Hearts aswel but should return for the home clash with St Johnstone before the split.
Meanwhile Goodwin says he was “flabbergasted” that his side were denied a penalty when County keeper Jordan Amissah took out Stephenson in the first half in Dingwall. The Tannadice boss said: “The more I watch it back, the more flabbergasted I am that it wasn't given. If that contact between the goalkeeper and Luca Stephenson happens anywhere else on the pitch, it's a free kick all day long.
“If a wide player nicks the ball around the back of the full-back and gets wiped out, it's a free kick. I don't understand, for the life of me, how that isn't brought back with a VAR review and a penalty awarded.”