Who?
Something of a regular on the BBC's late night Football League Show this season, that's who.
With 22 goals in 35 league games, he's often to be seen popping up between Manish and his mad autocue stare and Lizzy perched awkwardly on her desk.
But "surprise addition" would seem to sum it up.
Born in Watford, he qualifies through a Scottish grandmother. Agree, disagree. But those are the rules.
And Craig Levein, who'd be absolutely brilliant on daytime TV wallpaper Heir Hunters, vowed to use those rules to Scotland's advantage.
But is Craig Mackail-Smith the standard of player that we hoped his rooting around in ancestral records would uncover?
Too early to say. Like any Scotland player he deserves a chance.
My reservations are that, at the age of 27, he's only once strayed as high as The Championship.
His two best seasons, including this one, have come in the third tier of English football. His overall record, encompassing Conference to Championship, works out about a goal every two and a half games. Solid. But not against top quality opposition.
Good goalscorers will score goals no matter who the opposition is. Isn't that what they say?
We'll need to see. So far I'm underwhelmed. But the guy's in a Scotland squad to play Brazil so let's not knock him.
It actually seems unlikely that he'll figure much on Sunday. I'd guess Levein's using his striker shortage as an excuse to take a look at another option.
There will be extenuating circumstances if he doesn't feature.
Mackail-Smith is set to play for Peterborough against Bristol tonight before joining up with Scotland.
This really could be the stuff that dreams are made of.
From the Memorial Stadium to Brazil at the Emirates in a little under 48 hours.
It would be quite a story.
I'm pleased for him but still think it's absurd just as I did when his teammate George Boyd (who had never set foot in Scotland) was called up for Scotland B two years ago.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, those are the rules and - never mind the goals - Mackail-Smith's main assets are his incredible speed and his work ethic. He is the hardest-working player I've ever seen and must be a nightmare to mark.
Scotland should call up midfielder G Boyd to the team - he is also far too good for the third tier, back on top form, scores a lot of goals and knows how to get best out of Mackail-Smith.
Richard
Thanks for the comment Richard.
ReplyDeleteSpeed and work ethic are what Mr Levein will like to hear.
As I say, I suspect this call up might be more about getting to know him rather than a chance to play him.
I'm sure Boyd will be on the radar - we do seem to have a lot of options in midfield at the moment.
As for the rules, I agree. But the argument goes that if other people are using Scotland shouldn't miss out.
Tom