Whites legend on why Scottish success can take Liam Cooper and Leeds United to new heights

Glaswegian Gray has waited 22 years to his see his nation qualify for their first major international tournament since their appearance at the 1998 World Cup in France under manager Craig Brown.

As a player, Gray was forced to miss what was Scotland’s third appearance at a World Cup and first for 16 years as a thigh injury kept the winger out of the tournament in West Germany 1974.

It meant wing wizard Gray never had the chance to represent his nation at a major international tournament but the Whites legend has now seen the current captain of his former side lead the Tartan Army to next year’s Euros which have been delayed by a year due to the global fight against coronavirus.

Gray is delighted both for his country and for Cooper, whom the ex-Whites star messaged in the aftermath of Scotland’s epic qualification through victory in a tense penalty shoot-out against Serbia in Thursday’s play-off final in Belgrade.

Cooper was an unused substitute in the contest that initially ended in a 1-1 draw but then returned to the starting line up for Sunday’s Nations League encounter in Slovakia in which Steve Clarke’s side fell to a 1-0 defeat.

Scotland are back in Nations League action this evening in Israel after which Cooper will return to Leeds with Gray saying the defender’s role in qualification for next summer’s Euros will benefit his club as a whole.

“I watched the game the other night and I thought they were unlucky against Slovakia in the Nations League,” Gray told the YEP.

“I thought Scotland were the better team and I thought Liam played well.

“Liam will be delighted. I sent him a text before the game and he said he had a great night and that it was a great night for Scottish football and he will be delighted.

“I think it’s good for your club that their players are doing well for their countries, regardless of who they are because it gives everybody that bit of confidence.”

Gray’s Scotland exploits were held back by injuries but the Glaswegian still bagged 12 caps for his country and played against the game’s best.

The same now beckons for Cooper and 72-year-old Gray knows exactly what it will mean to United’s captain.

“He’ll be so proud,” claimed Gray.

“When you actually think he is playing at the top level of English football now and now he will be playing at the top level in European football against some of the best sides in the world.

“He will be so thrilled about that and he will be looking forward to even more of it and just to be involved there.

“It will be terrific for him.”

Reflecting on Scotland’s very long wait to reach their next major tournament – which will now see them take on fellow group opponents England at Wembley – Gray said with a smile: “The first time since 98 – 22 years and 23 years by the time it comes around.

“I was delighted and it’s nice that the country have qualified again and it will be great for the players to play at Wembley against England.

“That’s going to be a great occasion. I just hope that by the time that international fixture comes around that the fans will be allowed back in and that they can all be at Wembley.”

https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/sport/football/leeds-united/stuart-dallas-reveals-pride-northern-ireland-milestone-pushes-back-over-end-era-claims-3037111https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/sport/football/leeds-united/arsenal-midfielder-mohamed-elneny-tests-positive-coronavirus-ahead-leeds-united-clash-3037766https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/sport/football/leeds-united/yorkshire-evening-post-launch-leeds-united-only-digital-subscription-ahead-premier-league-campaign-2967964A 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