COLLIN SAMUEL has revealed how, following Trinidad and Tobago’s clash with Austria next week, his entire focus for the remainder of the season will be on helping move Dundee United clear of the SPL relegation battle.
Samuel has been called up for the match in Vienna which has been arranged to celebrate the first anniversary of Trinidad and Tobago’s World Cup qualification play-off victory over Bahrain.
And despite the cash row between T&T’s World Cup stars and their federation still rumbling on—a dispute which prompted talk of strike action—Samuel and Co intend turning out.
Thereafter, though, the United front man will be concentrating exclusively on club matters.
“This is the last international I will play before the Gold Cup in America next summer,” he said.
“There is a tournament involving the Caribbean countries in February but I won’t be involved in that because the coach intends using locally based players only.
“The money situation still hasn’t been sorted out.
“But the matter is in progress just now and we think it will be resolved, so all of the World Cup guys who are fit and have been selected will be going to Austria.”
Before heading off on international duty Samuel—who has recovered from the hamstring complaint which threatened to sideline him today—aims to play a part in United sealing back-to-back SPL victories for the first time since April 2005.
“I thought I would be struggling for this game but I was determined to play as it is a very important one for us,’’ he said.
“Dunfermline are playing Rangers and if we can get a result in this match we could be five points clear of Dunfermline when we go to play them next week.
“The atmosphere in the dressing room has been great since we beat Rangers ourselves and we want to keep the momentum going after that result.
“It is a very long time since we won two games in a row but everyone will be pushing to do that against Killie.”