Liam Cooper shares what Eddie Gray told him during Leeds’ trip to Sheffield Wednesday

Follow us on Google Discover

Leeds United defender Liam Cooper could make his Scotland debut on Thursday.

Leeds United defender Liam Cooper has told The Scotsman that he spoke to Leeds and Scotland ace Eddie Gray on Sunday ahead of Thursday’s clash with Slovakia.

Cooper, 26, has been a regular under Thomas Christiansen for Leeds this season, and his absence was felt on Sunday afternoon in the 3-0 away defeat at Sheffield Wednesday.

Cooper was sent off for two bookable offences in the 3-1 loss at Cardiff City last Tuesday, meaning he was suspended against Wednesday – and Christiansen saw his side leak three more goals in a disappointing defeat.

Whilst Christiansen must now use the international break to reflect on the defeat and look to get Leeds back on track after three defeats in the last four games, Cooper may be in action on Thursday night.

Scotland take on Slovakia at Hampden Park in a crucial World Cup qualifier on Thursday night, and Cooper is in contention to play having been called up to Gordon Strachan’s squad.

Despite being born in Hull, Cooper has represented Scotland at youth level, earning six caps across stints in their Under-17’s and Under-19’s – but he’s yet to earn his first senior cap for Scotland.

That could come this Thursday, and Cooper has revealed to The Scotsman that he spoke to Eddie Gray at Hillsborough on Sunday, discussing the importance of Thursday’s clash with Slovakia.

Glasgow-born Gray is a Leeds legend after racking up more than 450 appearances for the club, whilst he also scored three times in 12 caps for Scotland – and he has hammered home the size of Thursday’s game, with Cooper desperate to emulate the likes of Gray and Strachan in playing for Leeds and Scotland.

“Eddie Gray is at a lot of the games and I actually spoke to him at the Sheffield Wednesday game on Sunday which I had to watch from the stand,” said Cooper. “Eddie is always asking about Scotland and he certainly told me just how important this game is on Thursday, although I knew that already. There are photos of lots of the famous Scottish players from Leeds’ past all over Elland Road, including the gaffer [Strachan] here. If I can follow in their footsteps, that would be amazing,” he added.