Scotland boss Steve Clarke would have been closely watching last night’s Premier League clash between Leeds United and Southampton.
After all, it pitted two men who seem certain to be selected for the Euro 2020 squad – Liam Cooper and Stuart Armstrong – against each other.
An emphatic win
There was no doubt who came out on top in the came – the Leeds centre-back. He helped Leeds to an emphatic 3-0 win, which sees them move up to 10th in the Premier League.
Liam Cooper in action for Leeds United (Photo by Paul Greenwood – CameraSport via Getty Images)
The good news for Clarke is that both men played the entire 90 minutes. That is to be expected of Cooper. However, it is perhaps a bit surprising in the case of Armstrong.
After all, he was rated as only ’50-50′ at best to feature in the game according to Southampton boss Ralph Hassenhutl.
Returned from injury
Armstrong will no doubt be disappointed with the result, but he will be pleased to have recovered from injury. As for Cooper, he will be pleased that he managed to help Leeds keep a clean sheet.
Stuart Armstrong recovered from injury to play the entire game (Photo by Chloe Knott – Danehouse/Getty Images)
It is only their eighth clean sheet in 25 games this season. That will have to give the player confidence going forward. Both players are set to be in action again this weekend, when Leeds takes on Aston Villa and Southampton play Everton.
Cooper will come up against another Scotland colleague – John McGinn – in that game. No doubt another game that Scotland boss Steve Clarke will be watching closely. Especially as the World Cup qualifiers are less than a month away from taking place. Cooper and Armstrong seem certain to be named in the squad for those games.