Leeds United: McQueen's concern over Cooper's Scotland call-up

GORDON MCQUEEN has described Liam Cooper's call-up to the Scotland squad as an 'indictment of Scottish football and Leeds.'
Gordon McQueen.Gordon McQueen.
Gordon McQueen.

Centre-back Cooper was born in Hull but qualifies to play for the Tartan Army due to his grandfather and could make his full international debut in Tuesday night’s friendly against Denmark at Hampden Park.

United’s Sunderland loanee Liam Bridcutt could also feature – the 26-year-old was born in Reading but again qualifies for Scots’ representation through his grandparents.

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But former Whites and Scotland centre-back McQueen is unimpressed by matters at both Elland Road and his former national side – describing the recent record of both as “absolutely hopeless.”

“Let’s be honest about this, Scotland and Leeds are not in good shape,” said McQueen.

“It feels as if anybody can get a try-out with the national side in certain areas.

“I don’t think we (Scotland) produce players for many positions any more but the situation is really desperate at centre-back.”

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McQueen, who was born on the west coast of Scotland in North Ayrshire, is part of a rich history in terms of Whites players representing the Scotland side, alongside the likes of former Whites greats Billy Bremner, Eddie and Frank Gray, Joe Jordan, Peter Lorimer and more recently Gordon Strachan and Gary McAllister – all of whom were also born in Scotland.

Cooper and Bridcutt’s Scottish links are rather less obvious.

“You are either Scottish or you aren’t,” said McQueen,

“That is my take on it and no-one will convince me otherwise.

“When it comes to my opinion on this hunting around for a distant bloodline I’m accused of having my head stuck in the sand but I’m too long in the tooth to change.”

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Slamming the current situation at Leeds – who have now been out of the country’s top flight for 12 years – McQueen said: “If any player shows any promise, Leeds sell him right away.

“They don’t have any assets on or off the field in not owning their stadium, their training ground, or even their car park.”