{"id":45317,"date":"2022-10-17T19:30:00","date_gmt":"2022-10-17T23:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/soccer\/?p=45317"},"modified":"2022-10-17T19:44:22","modified_gmt":"2022-10-17T23:44:22","slug":"scotland-neglect-ryan-gauld","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/soccer\/2022\/10\/17\/scotland-neglect-ryan-gauld\/","title":{"rendered":"Why Does Scotland\u2019s National Team Neglect Ryan Gauld?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>After making his Dundee United debut at 16, Ryan Gauld seemingly had the world at his feet. The likes of Everton, Roma, Liverpool, Manchester United, and even Real Madrid were credited with an interest in the Tannadice teenage talent.<\/p>\n<p>However, it was Sporting Clube de Portugal that won the race for the youngster dubbed \u2018Mini Messi\u2019. The Aberdeen-born midfielder was quick to pinpoint Sporting\u2019s excellent record in youth development. Examples include Nani, Luis Figo, and of course, Cristiano Ronaldo.<\/p>\n<p>A weird and wacky career saw Gauld play at three other Portuguese clubs, alongside a stint back in Scotland with Hibernian, before signing with Vancouver Whitecaps in 2021. The 26-year-old has become <em>Blue-and-White<\/em>\u2019s main man over the past few seasons.<\/p>\n<p>He\u2019s been a revelation for Canada\u2019s only MLS team in the Western Conference, fully worthy of becoming a Designated Player in British Columbia.<\/p>\n<p>So why has he never been selected for Scotland\u2019s senior squad and made an appearance for his nation?<\/p>\n<h2>Ryan Gauld: Why Does He Continue To Be Neglected by Scotland?<\/h2>\n<p><a id=\"ww5Nhi5VQT92kgxqVdp9Gw\" class=\"gie-single\" style=\"color: #a7a7a7; text-decoration: none; font-weight: normal !important; border: none; display: inline-block;\" href=\"http:\/\/www.gettyimages.com\/detail\/1412372126\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Embed from Getty Images<\/a><script>window.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'ww5Nhi5VQT92kgxqVdp9Gw',sig:'dtzgpdFtbrOR8FebXHSRSY-fgl0j4Rrds40D_HwJ5v4=',w:'594px',h:'371px',items:'1412372126',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })});<\/script><script src='\/\/embed-cdn.gettyimages.com\/widgets.js' charset='utf-8' async><\/script><\/p>\n<h3><strong>Has the SFA Not Got his Canadian Number?<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>Not since Gordon Strachan\u2019s tenure as the <em>Tartan Army<\/em> boss has Gauld been in contention to pull on the dark blue. With over ten caps for both the Under-19s and Under-21s, he\u2019s yet to register a full international appearance despite previously being called up in 2014.<\/p>\n<p>Speaking recently to MailSport, he said:<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt\u2019s genuinely not something I think about now. A year or two ago, when I thought I was doing really well at Farense, I felt it might happen. But I\u2019m at a stage now where it doesn\u2019t enter my mind. When there\u2019s an international break I\u2019m looking at having a few days off and going somewhere nice in Canada with my missus. If it happens, then great. But I won\u2019t be upset if the next squad comes out and my name\u2019s not there. I haven\u2019t had any contact from Scotland or the SFA since Gordon Strachan was in charge,&#8221; Ryan Gauld said. He would also say this:<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;There\u2019s been nothing at all. But they obviously have their reasons. The manager seems to have a group of players that he likes and he\u2019s going with them. They just played Ukraine away when they had 15 or 16 players missing. But he still managed to get a squad together. So I know I\u2019m nowhere near it and that\u2019s why I won\u2019t get my hopes up.\u201d<\/p>\n<h3><strong>Italy Proving a Popular Place<\/strong><\/h3>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Official, confirmed. Aaron Hickey joins Brentford on permanent deal from Bologna, \u20ac22m total fee add ons included. \u26aa\ufe0f\ud83d\udd34\ud83e\udd1d <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/BrentfordFC?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">#BrentfordFC<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Hickey has signed his long-term deal yesterday, medical completed too. <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/Evs1atTmx2\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/Evs1atTmx2<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/FabrizioRomano\/status\/1545696510406541313?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">July 9, 2022<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>In recent years, Scottish football fans are seeing more and more Scots play their game outside the UK. The last Scotland squad included two defenders that have opted to play in Italy. Aaron Hickey \u2013 who is back in Britain with Brentford \u2013 enjoyed a super spell with Bologna.<\/p>\n<p>Jack Hendry left Celtic for KV Oostende and later Club Brugge in Belgium. He\u2019s since moved to Serie A, joining Lombardy-based outfit Cremonese. Hendry and Hickey were arguably two of Scotland\u2019s best performers in the triple header against Ukraine and Ireland. Josh Doig is another defender plying his trade over there with Hellas Verona.<\/p>\n<p>In the middle of the park, Liam Henderson was something of a trendsetter for Scots in the last decade. The former Celtic youth graduate had played for Rosenborg in Norway, on loan, before a spell with Bari and became the first Scot to play in Italy\u2019s top tier since Graeme Souness as he helped Hellas Verona to promotion.<\/p>\n<p>Spells as Empoli and Lecce followed, before rejoining <em>Gli Azzurri, <\/em>with Hibernian his last club in Britain. Lewis Ferguson has been involved with the national team since September 2021, and eventually left Aberdeen to join Bologna where Aaron Hickey had developed immensely.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>Flying the Flag Overseas<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>However, most of Scotland\u2019s midfielders and attackers still play their football in Britain. If Ryan Gauld were to be selected, he\u2019d be something of a rarity. Just as Johnny Russell was. Just as Lewis Morgan arguably should be too.<\/p>\n<p>There are countless examples of Scottish stars heading overseas, all with varying success. Paul Lambert became the first Scot to win the European Cup with a non-UK team when he signed for Borussia Dortmund. John Collins was a league winner with Monaco.<\/p>\n<p>When Scotland produced quality centre-forwards, Denis Law was the trendsetter at Torino. Steve Archibald spent four years upfront at Nou Camp before another spell in Barcelona with Espanyol. Alan McInally helped Bayern Munich to the league title.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>Lack of Scots Success in the States<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>However, MLS has never really had a success story that results in Scotland&#8217;s selection. \u00a0Mo Johnston is more fondly remembered at Nantes than at the tail end of his career with the Kansas City Wizards as they were known then.<\/p>\n<p>Richard Gough was also in Kansas at a similar time, being named in the MLS Best XI with the Wizards but that was four years after ending his association with the national team. The likes of Steven Caldwell, Shaun Maloney, Kris Boyd, and Kenny Miller had all essentially cut ties with the Tartan Army before moving to the States and Canada.<\/p>\n<p>Chris Cadden was last called up before his move to Columbus Crew in 2019. Stuart Findlay\u2019s only Scotland cap came whilst playing for Kilmarnock, before his move to Philadelphia Union. Gary Mackay-Steven\u2019s Scotland career was over before he left Aberdeen for NYCFC.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">The <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/VWFC?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">#VWFC<\/a> will play in the <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/SCCL23?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">#SCCL23<\/a> after winning in a penalty shoot-out against <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/TFCLive?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">#TFCLive<\/a>. <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/OneSoccer?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">#OneSoccer<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/VANvTOR?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">#VANvTOR<\/a> | 1-1 (5-3) | <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/CanChamp?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">#CanChamp<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/We93GaXXpC\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/We93GaXXpC<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Last Word on Soccer (@LastWordSC) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/LastWordSC\/status\/1552158911842639873?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">July 27, 2022<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>There\u2019s no escaping that Ryan Gauld is a talented player. Lewis Morgan could be a great option in the wide areas. The Scotland national team is crying out for some pace on the flanks, creativity in the middle of the park, and ideally a world-class marksman in the final third. Gauld has also stepped up for his club team when they needed it. Examples included <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/soccer\/2022\/07\/26\/toronto-fc-vancouver-analysis\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\">assisting in Brian White&#8217;s goal in the Canadian Championship Final against Toronto FC<\/a>. (<a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/bashirra\/status\/1552129191843434496\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Brian White goal clip from OneSoccer<\/a>). A game that went to penalties and resulted in Vancouver winning the Voyageurs Cup. Additionally, he <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/soccer\/2022\/08\/18\/ryan-gauld-brace-whitecaps-rapids\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\">played a big role in the win against Colorado Rapids on August 18<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>But, for whatever reason, playing your \u2018soccer\u2019 in the States isn\u2019t taken as seriously as it is in a top-five nation or elsewhere in Europe. It\u2019s a sorry situation given Gauld is deemed a more attractive selection in Portugal\u2019s second tier, to the SFA hierarchy, than he is in Canada.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>After making his Dundee United debut at 16, Ryan Gauld seemingly had the world at his feet. The likes of Everton, Roma, Liverpool, Manchester United, and even Real Madrid were credited with an interest in the Tannadice teenage talent. However, it was Sporting Clube de Portugal that won the race for the youngster dubbed \u2018Mini [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4315,"featured_media":45319,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[27,119,3507,2208,3508,23],"tags":[3122,5305,3888,5306,5307,4477,1457,3534,5308,3686],"class_list":["post-45317","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-fifa-tournament","category-mls","category-northamericansoccer","category-premier-league","category-soccer","category-whitecaps","tag-brian-white","tag-gordon-strachan","tag-lewis-morgan","tag-mo-johnston","tag-richard-gough","tag-ryan-gauld","tag-scotland","tag-steven-caldwell","tag-stuart-findlay","tag-voyageurs-cup"],"modified_by":"Raheem Bashir, Site Manager","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/soccer\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/45317","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/soccer\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/soccer\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/soccer\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4315"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/soccer\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=45317"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/soccer\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/45317\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/soccer\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/45319"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/soccer\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=45317"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/soccer\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=45317"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/soccer\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=45317"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}