SCOTLAND RECALLED AGAIN
Trinidad and Tobago striker Jason Scotland is set to receive his third recall to the national team in the eight-month tenure of head coach Francisco Maturana and, this time, he hopes to get the chance to showcase his ability.
T&T team manager David Muhammad phoned Scotland after the fixture and requested his services for upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Guatemala and the United States on October 11 and 15, respectively. Muhammad told the Express that Scotland replaces injured St Johnstone attacker Collin Samuel, who is used primarily as a left flanker for his country.
The Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation's (TTFF) late interest in Scotland means that he will not join his compatriots until tomorrow as an official request must first be sent to Swansea today.
The "Soca Warriors" play the Dominican Republic on Wednesday in a warm-up match at the Hasely Crawford Stadium.
But Scotland is desperate for playing time after being an unused substitute in his last international tour of duty when the Warriors drew 1-1 with Guatemala at home and lost 3-0 away to the US.
"Obviously I am happy to be called by the national team," said Scotland, "but I won't be happy if I am coming back and not playing or involved...
"I am not saying I have to play from the start, but to come this far and not play a minute on the pitch is harsh."
Scotland was England League One's top scorer last season and Swansea's MVP as he helped the Wales-based team win promotion to the Championship division and the British press cooed about his ability again, on Saturday, when he led the dismantling of Wolves, who started the fixture as the division's leaders. Maturana, a two-time Colombia World Cup coach, appears to be less interested in the former soldier and Malick schoolboy.
The Colombian played Scotland for 45 minutes against Guadeloupe for his first match in charge of the Warriors, on February 26, but ignored him subsequently.
Scotland was omitted from Trinidad and Tobago's squad to face England in June, but recalled, two weeks later, to play Bermuda in the opening World Cup qualifier. Scotland, who was out of season at the time, admitted that he was unfit and made little impression as the Warriors lost 2-1 at Macoya.
He was an unused substitute in the return leg before being discarded again.
The exclusion of Turkey-based striker Darryl Roberts meant a recall for Scotland against Guatemala and the United States last month, but he never got on the field. Scotland suggested that his demotion might be easier to take if he knew what he did wrong.
"Nobody contacted me or told me anything," he told the Express. "In Britain, the way the (coach) does things is to talk to players and say why he wasn't involved and why he wants him or doesn't want him in the team.
"We are accustomed to explanations here, but I haven't gotten one."
Still, Scotland is happy for the chance to add to his 29 caps, which include 16 starts and five goals. At 29 years of age, he is yet to receive an extended run in the national side and rarely played as a centre forward.
He hopes to stand out from Maturana's present striking options, who include record scorer Stern John, Cornell Glen, Andre Toussaint and Roberts.
"I expect to play some part," said Scotland, "to try and help the national team get the points they deserve to get into the next round...
"I am fitter and stronger now than my last time home and my game against Wolves was one of my best performances this season in terms of my hold up play and energy levels.
"I am coming back to full fitness. I am coming back to my best."