Australia boss backs Jason Cummings to add energy to World Cup
The former Scotland international is heading to the Qatar World Cup with Australia
Australia head coach Graham Arnold has backed former Scotland international Jason Cummings to bring "a heap of energy and enjoyment" to his World Cup squad.
The striker is one of three Scottish-born players in Australia's squad for Qatar along with Hibernian winger Martin Boyle - who has overcome an injury scare - and Stoke centre-back Harry Souttar.
Cummings, 27, won two caps for Scotland in friendlies against Hungary and the Netherlands in the 2017-18 season but qualifies for Australia through his mother and made his debut against New Zealand in September.
The former Rangers and Hibernian forward signed for Central Coast Mariners in January after being allowed to leave Dundee and his 12 goals since and general impact have helped him achieve his World Cup dream.
Arnold said: "When I brought him into camp for the New Zealand game, he gives us something different. His energy is fantastic. You can see at the Mariners, when he goes out on the field, you can see the joy that he brings to the rest of the team. And he's very brave, and he's prepared to do what needs to be done.
"Jason made that move, coming from Scotland out to Australia to show me and show Australia what he's made of to go to a World Cup. And I think he's got a very big smile on his face today."
Arnold was also asked about the selection of Cummings and two other players who were recent introductions to the squad, Hearts midfielder Cammy Devlin and St Mirren's Keanu Baccus.
"They are three players that bring a heap of energy and enjoyment into the camp in that family culture of the Socceroos," said Arnold, whose side face France, Denmark and Tunisia in Group D.
"That is important and Cam, especially, and Keanu are doing very good things in Scotland."
Hearts defender Kye Rowles is in the squad after making his comeback from a foot injury in the final stages of Sunday's win over Motherwell, while Nathaniel Atkinson completes a Tynecastle trio.
Boyle will not play for Hibs again before the World Cup because of a knee injury but is in the squad, while Dundee United left-back Aziz Behich and Celtic midfielder Aaron Mooy help take the cinch Premiership contingent to seven. Former Hibs striker Jamie Maclaren and former Ross County midfielder Jackson Irvine are also included.
Arnold admitted telling Devlin he was in the squad was an incredible moment given the Hearts player had "broken down in tears" but he had the task of telling others they had missed out.
They include St Mirren full-back Ryan Strain, St Johnstone's Ryan McGowan and Dundee United goalkeeper Mark Birighitti.
Former Celtic midfielder Tom Rogic, one of Australia's key players in recent years, is also omitted. The 29-year-old has made one start and four substitute appearances for West Brom after taking several months to choose a new club following his surprise departure from Glasgow.
Arnold said: "We need some flexibility and we need players that are extremely fit and ready. And I just felt that at this moment in time, that was a decision to make on the playing side of it. You know, Tommy has been absolutely brilliant for Australian football and he will continue to be."