MATT Phillips has revealed he will use the goalscoring tips he received from legendary Dutch striker Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink if he is picked to play up front for Scotland against the Netherlands at Pittodrie tomorrow night.
Phillips has been utilised on the left wing – the position he plays in for Barclays Premier League club West Brom – in the eight caps which he has won for his adopted homeland to date.
However, Malky Mackay, who has taken charge of the national team on an interim basis following the departure of Gordon Strachan last month, could move him into attack for the friendly with Dick Advocaat’s side.
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Leigh Griffiths of Celtic has been forced to pull out of the squad after suffering a recurrence of a calf strain in the Champions League game against Bayern Munich last week leaving Mackay with just two forwards.
But rather than hand Ryan Christie and Jason Cummings their first cap for their country against the visitors, who are able to field the likes of Daley Blind, Virgil van Dijk and Wesley Sneijder, he could turn to Phillips.
The 26-year-old has played there in the past – including for Queens Park Rangers where former Leeds United, Atletico Madrid and Chelsea player Hasselbaink passed on some invaluable advice on leading the line which he will draw on tomorrow evening.
“The gaffer and I had a brief chat,” he said. “I’ve played there on a few occasions before but never regularly. I’ve always been a wide man, but I’m delighted to play anywhere along the front line.
“It’s nice to be in the reckoning to start the game. That’s massive. I’m happy to play anywhere up front and I’ll give my all. I played a few games up front for QPR under Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink and also Neil Warnock. Jimmy definitely still had the ability in training.
“Jimmy taught me to be a bit more off the cuff. He didn’t tell me so much what I had to do. He liked the fact I naturally liked to run in behind and I was quick. That meant a ball over the top was always an option.
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“Even when I’m out wide I can be good with my back towards the goal. I’m still learning and improving so this would be another chance for me to do that. I’ve not scored yet for Scotland and it’s something I’m looking to do.
“Playing up front would be another learning experience. If I can add it to my armoury it would be something extra and nice to have. If I can add things to my game it gives you all sorts of advantages.
“I’ve got the size and like to run in behind – I do that from wide positions anyway. I’d just need to learn from the manager what he’d like me to do in that position. As I say I’m delighted to be in his thoughts for Holland.”
Several established Scotland players – including Ikechi Anya, Barry Bannan, Steven Fletcher, James McArthur, Chris Martin, James Morrison, Steven Naismith and Robert Snodgrass – will not be involved against the Netherlands.
But Phillips, who started in the last four games of their unsuccessful Russia 2018 qualifying campaign, was determined to remain involved and cement his position in the national team for the first UEFA Nations League and the Euro 2020 qualifying campaign.
“I definitely didn’t want to be left out,” he said. “There has been a change of manager, but this is a chance to start building for the new campaign. There will be more friendlies and whoever the manager is at the time we all want to be involved. I want to stake my claim for the qualifiers.
“Not making the Russia 2018 play-offs was a massive blow. It has been hard seeing my team mates go away to them. We all believed we could do it and win that last game. It was a huge disappointment. But now we have a chance to prepare for the Euros.”
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