Leeds United captain Liam Cooper optimistic about completing next step forward and hails Hampden 'roar'

The Leeds skipper is determined to give Scotland every chance of hosting another 50,000 fans when the World Cup qualifying play-offs come around in March.

Scotland can boost their chances of sealing a seeded place for the 12-team tournament, which will produce three qualifiers for Qatar, by getting a positive result against Group F winners Denmark.

Cooper and many of his team-mates experienced a full Hampden for the first time for last month's last-gasp 3-2 win over Israel and the stadium will be full again on Monday.

"The boys and everyone associated with the national team can take a pat on the back for that, getting Hampden full again," he said.

"We have definitely been successful over the last 18 months and that's what happens, they flood in and get behind the team.

"It's only going to benefit us and we can feed off that energy inside the stadium.

"There is a real feelgood factor around the place at the minute and the longer that continues, the better.

"That comes down to winning football games.

"We have won a fair few football games over the last 18 months and we have to keep going and keep progressing.

"When you see Hampden full and you hear that roar, the boys talk about it, it's an unbelievable feeling.

"You take that on the pitch with you and you can get that extra bit out yourself.

"We have to keep delivering on the pitch and they will keep turning up, and that's the way we want it."

Victory in Moldova on Friday secured a play-off spot but manager Steve Clarke has left his team in no doubt that the job is not yet complete.

"We have achieved what we wanted to achieve but the manager has made it clear how important it is to be seeded," Cooper said.

"The manager made it clear on the plane back that it's straight down to business.

"We are excited, a packed-out Hampden, it's going to be unbelievable.

"There is a belief and a confidence in the dressing room that we can go and get a result. We have to sling everything at it.

"The atmosphere is going to be unbelievable and we can feed off that and hopefully get a positive result."

https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/sport/football/leeds-united/yorkshire-evening-post-launch-leeds-united-only-digital-subscription-ahead-premier-league-campaign-2967964

A message from the Editor:

Leeds has a fantastic story to tell - and the Yorkshire Evening Post has been rooted firmly at the heart of telling the stories of our city since 1890.

We believe in ourselves and hope you believe in us too. We need your support to help ensure we can continue to be at the heart of life in Leeds.

https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/news/why-yorkshire-evening-post-needs-your-support-laura-collins-yep-editor-2913382

Subscribe to our website and enjoy unlimited access to local news and information online and on our app.

With a digital subscription, you can read more than 5 articles, see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content.

Click here to subscribe.

For more details on our newspaper subscription offers click here.

Thank you Laura Collins