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Leeds United: McCormack frustrated by Scotland snub
Ross McCormack in match action against Doncaster Rovers.
Leeds United striker Ross McCormack has questioned Craig Levein’s selection policy after being left of the Scotland squad for next week’s friendly in Slovenia.
McCormack, 25, last turned out for his country in the Carling Nations Cup last May.
The former Rangers player has scored 16 times in 35 games for his club this season but has again been left frustrated.
“I don’t feel as if I will be in a squad no matter if I score goals or not,” he told the Scottish Sun.
“It is hard to take as people keep telling me I am going to be in the next squad or should be in it.
“Meanwhile, you have Craig Mackail-Smith who is not playing for his club, Jamie Mackie is not playing for his club and David Goodwillie is not playing for his club.
“The only striker in the squad who is playing for his club is Kenny Miller.
“I’d understand if they’d scored a lot more goals than me, but they haven’t. I have no idea why I am not in the squad.”
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McCormack claims he has tried unsuccessfully to contact national team scout Michael Oliver.
“I don’t have a problem with Craig, I am just gutted I am not in his squad,” said the Elland Road player.
“I have been trying to phone Mick Oliver but he hasn’t answered the phone to me.
“No-one will tell me why I haven’t been in the last few squads.”
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Comments
There are 22 comments to this article
Page 1 of 2
Leeds83
Wednesday, February 22, 2012 at 10:20 AMLevein's a muppet - end of story. How many other managers play a 5-5-0 formation......?
Jigzy
Tuesday, February 21, 2012 at 09:49 PMPending Moderation
LeedsBulldog
Tuesday, February 21, 2012 at 08:24 PMComments 7 liam8282 + 8 Bramleywhites good comments but cant work out what jigzy means. Bramley - i also have a feeling now that NW will creep us into 6th place playoffs and then - WHO KNOWS? - WHO CARES ?- US LEEDS UNITED FANS DO - THATS WHO!!
LeedsBulldog
Tuesday, February 21, 2012 at 08:18 PMThanks Scotland fc - we now have less chance of injury to one of our stars - got a feeling that Warnock will turn this scottish hard grafting player into an even better player than he already is - your loss scotland!
OzTyke
Tuesday, February 21, 2012 at 08:07 PMIt must be nice to get your country's recognition, but the game has changed and many international matches are like rubbish friendlies and daft qualifiers against the likes of the Faroe Islands and Malta. Who cares whether our blokes play in these games and risk injury, like our when our player got a serious pre-season leg injury in Norway cos some over-zealous clown clattered into him studs-up.
Liam123
Tuesday, February 21, 2012 at 03:58 PMJigzy - What you are saying doesn't make sense. I think you agree that upto October, McCormacks form was good, arguably better than anyone else. So shouldn't he have been in the squad then? He had a quiet spell in November and December, (along with most of the Leeds squad) so maybe shouldn't have been in the squad, but Scotland only had one game in November, a friendly against Cyprus, so no big deal anyway. Since January his form has again been good, arguably better than anyone else, so therefore shouldn't he be in the squad? These serial snubs have led him to speak out and question why he isn't in the squad, which I for one can understand. Me personally I couldn't care less if he doesn't get into the Scotland squad, as long as he keeps producing the goods for us. I agree that being continually snubbed by Scotland might bring out the best in him for us, that can only be a good thing. But it is strange that Levein wouldn't pick the top Scottish Championship scorer, but would pick players who aren't performing as well as him.
Jigzy
Tuesday, February 21, 2012 at 03:39 PMI don't believe his mid season form was at international level, in his last 4 games he has looked like the early season player, if you are asking me why he has been left out then it has to be because of that and his temperament. Your either not picked on current form or who you are. Face it maybe they don't like him, I don't subscribe to he's a LUFC player so I’m going to back him he was wrong to publicly criticise and question the decision and by doing so he only adds reason to not being picked. He should use it as motivation to improve as a player and move on, not moan about it. I’m confident that NW will use it as a tool to get more out of him, I am also sure that NW will say leave me to speak to the media and publicly back you, you don’t need to got there.
Liam123
Tuesday, February 21, 2012 at 03:10 PMJigzy - I can't get the point you are trying to make here? McCormack's form is better than any of those selected ahead of him. His current form is that of a 20 plus championship goal scorer, better form than ANY other scottish player. So not to be included at all in a 24 man squad is strange. McCormack has constantly been snubbed by Levein, which means it is probably a personal reason rather than a footballing reason why he isn't getting in, therefore it is understandable that McCormack has spoken out against him. Personally I would be happy for McCormack to retire from international football, at 25, if it meant he kept playing well for us and scoring goals. He is a striker, he scores goals, what more do you want?
Bubionwhite
Tuesday, February 21, 2012 at 03:00 PMCome off it Jigzy, as far as his performances on the field are concerned the guy's a class act ... one of the main reasons his form and goals to games ratio fell away can be firmly laid at the door of some very inept performances from the Leeds midfield. Whoever the strikers are, in any team, they are only as good as the service they receive and that has been non-existent for months.
Jigzy
Tuesday, February 21, 2012 at 02:32 PMPerhaps his reaction and much public criticism and questioning the manager would also give reason to believe that he was right not to pick him. You can't say that it is wise to be so public with his reaction; it shows that his temperament might not be right for the manager and that maybe the manager thinks that he is not a team player, but a player with his own ego and agenda. After all it only takes one bad apple.
Jigzy
Tuesday, February 21, 2012 at 02:28 PMI don't believe anyone has said he is a bad player, we are simply saying his form has not been what it has been previously and that he has been inconsistent. When he was dropped from the side it was largely because he was looking jaded and lacked the sharpness that he had at the start of the season. I had nothing to do with Becchio if he was playing at the same form as he was playing then he wouldn’t have been dropped..
Liam123
Tuesday, February 21, 2012 at 02:21 PMMcCormack was up for player of the month in September, he scored his 10th goal of the season against Doncaster in October. His form did drop off a bit, but so did Leeds form as a team. Plus Becchio came back at the end of September, and the team was chopped and changed to fit him in, mainly at the expense of McCormack. I can't see why anyone would have a problem or question his ability, I think his goals total so far speaks for itself. He is our top scorer, 2nd top scorer in the Championship, and for him not to even make the Scotland squad at all, not even a call up, is a bit strange.
Jigzy
Tuesday, February 21, 2012 at 01:40 PMLike I said his form was probably the best of his career at the start of this season but you can't argue that since then since mid September he has been inconsistent and not prolific that is a fact, he hasn't performed for Scotland and rightly at present he doesn't deserve a place. I have every faith that NW will turn Ross into an international striker but his form since Mid September is not that of an international striker, even if it's for Scotland. Moaning to the press will not help him now or in the future and all shows that perhaps we have a right to question his temperament.
Jettatura
Tuesday, February 21, 2012 at 12:47 PMOnly got one thing to say to Ross 'Stitch-That Birdsh1t!' McCormack and that's COLIN BEFORE COUNTRY!
Jettatura
Tuesday, February 21, 2012 at 12:14 PMPending Moderation
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