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Scottish-based forward Jason Scotland will gladly accept a chance to train under new coach Leo Beenhakker but has indicated that he will only make himself available once he receives an invitation ahead of the June 4 World Cup Qualifier against Panama at the Hasely Crawford Stadium.


The hardworking former Army man has found form of late for Dundee United in the Scottish Premier League and is expected to be one of their main weapons in the Scottish Cup Final on May 28 against Celtic at Hampden Park. Scotland will fly home the day after. During that time it is expected that the majority of the squad will be assembled for the Panama match which will be followed by an away clash to Mexico on June 8.

“The main focus for me at the moment is obviously that Cup game on May 28 but I am coming home the day after and once I get an invitation to train with the team then I will gladly be there,” Scotland told TTFF Media.

He did hint that he felt neglected after being left out of the squad during the semi-final round up until the last qualifier against Costa Rica. Because of missing several recent matches for the “Warriors” Scotland also faces an anxious wait on hearing for a new work permit before he can go through with a new two-year contract with United. “It’s going to be tight because I haven’t been in the national team recently but I’m pretty confident that with the help of Mike Berry (agent) I will get the permit.

The 26-year-old striker will go down on the memory list for his wonderful strike in T&T’s 1-1 draw with South Korea at the Seoul World Cup Stadium last year.

“It was a bit harsh after sacrificing to come back and be with the team to then get left out without any sort of explanation. I thought I made a good contribution with the goal against South Korea but after that I was just left out,” Scotland added.

“I know a lot of the guys will be back home training with the team and I will also want a chance to impress the new coach and hopefully make a contribution in the matches coming up. I believe the guys all want to do well and make the country proud and I would love the chance to be part of that.”

Scotland is nursing a slight knee strain and will miss United’s match with Kilmarnock on Saturday but will be back in action from next week. He set up the winner in the 2-1 win over Dundee to help United ease their relegation fears by jumping to ninth spot on 32 points. I did feel he would have enough in the tank to be a sub and, because he is a player who can come on and change games, I decided to have him on the bench.

“When I did use him, he did very well to set up the winner and cause problems for their defenders, as he often does.”Club manager Gordon Chisholm spoke of Scotland’s strength in the team saying “I did feel he would have enough in the tank to be a sub and, because he is a player who can come on and change games, I decided to have him on the bench. When I did use him, he did very well to set up the winner and cause problems for their defenders, as he often does.”

Beenhakker is hoping to see several of T&T’s overseas-based pros from inside the third week of May but is likely to allow Brent Sancho and Marvin Andrews a few extra days as they have matches up until May 22.