Since hearing the news of his inclusion in a 24-man Trinidad and Tobago squad leading up to the World Cup squad, striker Jason Scotland says he has been teased by his Scottish club teammates that he will be the odd man left out when the final party travels to Europe following the upcoming friendly against Peru.
Scotland is currently the top scorer in the Scottish First Division with 14 league goals and one in the Cup and he intends to ensure he keeps his place with Leo Beenhakker having the tough job of omitting one player from the squad that will go to the World Cup.
But like it was for many, Scotland says he had a huge burden taken off his back having been included by Beenhakker.
“It’s just a big burden of my back because I know there were some players who had been playing for a pick and I was one of them for the last few weeks,” Scotland told TTFF Media on Friday, I have been scoring goals because I wanted the coach to recognize that I was still around and well it looks like he knew about it. Right now I am the highest scorer in the Division but even though I have been selected there is a still a lot to do because I want to keep on scoring and hopefully play at a higher level.”
The former Defence Force says he wants to add at least two more goals to his tally with three more games left in the season.
“I had set my sights on 15 but now I want more and I will not be taking my foot off the peddle. It’s would be a big personal achievement if I could end up with the top goalscorer award. The guys at my club have been teasing me about being the one left to be left out but they are all very pleased for me too.”
As to how he felt about Beenhakker’s selections, Scotland added “I don’t think you can question him at this stage because he has worked wonders for Trinidad and Tobago by getting us to the World Cup.