Leeds United man set for unexpected role after significant UEFA punishment decision and 'cuddles' admission
Leeds United captain Liam Cooper could see some minutes at UEFA Euro 2024 this summer after fellow Scotland defender Ryan Porteous' suspension was extended.
Watford centre-back Porteous will miss Scotland's remaining Euro 2024 group stage matches against Switzerland and Hungary after his red card tackle on Ilkay Gundogan during the Tartan Army's opener versus Germany was deemed 'serious rough play'.
Norwich City defender Grant Hanley was swiftly drafted in following the incident which saw Porteous concede a spot-kick and receive a straight red, leaving Cooper on the bench. However, if manager Steve Clarke is to make changes to his three-man back-line during Scotland's remaining group games, the Leeds skipper is in line to feature.
He will compete for minutes with Hanley and Nottingham Forest's Scott McKenna - also a central defender - assuming that Jack Hendry and Kieran Tierney will remain in Clarke's starting line-up.
“The other night, he was trying to stop a clear goal-scoring opportunity and he definitely went in too hard and we are pleased that Gundogan appears to have no lasting damage," the Scotland boss said of Porteous' challenge.
“It is something that Ryan will learn, but is an honest challenge to try to get the ball, to try to stop a goal-scoring opportunity so I wouldn’t be too hard on him.
“He was one of my cuddles. I explained the situation. It doesn’t look good. Ryan didn’t want to make that challenge, he wanted to stop a goal.
“He is very down, as you would expect, but we will pick him up, don’t worry about that.”
Thirty-two-year-old Cooper was not expected to feature prominently for Scotland at the tournament, given Clarke's preference for the younger starting trio of Hendry, Tierney and Porteous, although the latter's suspension now colours Cooper's chances of appearing at a second consecutive European Championships in a more positive light.
Should Cooper get on the pitch against Switzerland or Hungary in Group A, he would become only the second Leeds player after Gary McAllister (1992, 1996) to represent Leeds at two different Euros competitions.