Leeds United back up centre back Liam Cooper has received a call up to represent Scotland in this weeks 2018 World Cup Qualifier qualifier at home to Slovenia, as well as their friendly game against Canada on Wednesday, following the late injury of Newcastle United’s Grant Hanley.
Cooper was born in Hull, and received his first call up to his chosen nation in March 2016 to feature in the Scottish squad to face Denmark- a game which saw fellow United teammate and captain Liam Bridcutt make his second appearance for Scotland. Despite representing Scotland at under 17 and under 19 level, Cooper has never received a full international cap; featuring in the squad on one occasion.
The 25-year-old joined Leeds from League One side Chesterfield, after impressing in a pre-season friendly against the whites. He signed at the beginning of the 2014/15 season for a rumored £500,000 and has since made 76 appearances for the club.
The 2015/16 season saw Cooper become vice-captain, with Uwe Rosler appointing Sol Bamba club captain. However, because of a lengthy injury sustained by Bamba, the Scot filled in as captain through November and December. Cooper completed every league game during the season, as well as feature in the FA Cup third round tie away to Premier League Sunderland; which saw United suffer a 1-0 defeat.
Appearances have been hard to come by so far this season for Liam, with new centre back pairing Kyle Bartley and Pontus Jansson proving to be one of the best defensive partnerships in the Championship this season. Despite that, Cooper did captain the side in a shock 1-0 away defeat to National League side Sutton United; which also saw the former Chesterfield man see red after receiving two yellow cards on an embarrassing day for The Whites.
The English-born centre back will hope to make the most of his late call up to the Scotland squad and will hope to gain his first full Scotland cap, and after filling in well for Pontus Jansson on Saturday he may have a chance.
