While Jason Cummings has struggled for consistency this season in a Dundee side that looks to already be in a relegation battle, he definitely knows how to find the back of the net.
His time with Hibernian previously included over 50 goals in 100-plus games with current Socceroo Martin Boyle.
His colourful behaviour off the field appears to be the only blemish on a solid goal-scoring resume.
A video of Cummings swinging from a chandelier during Dundee’s messy celebrations after winning promotion last season made its way to social media and the Scottish papers.
Years before that, there was a video with professional wrestler Grado filmed at the Hibernian training ground.
Cummings is in his underwear and with tape wrapped around his head, he sings along to the famous Madonna song ‘Like A Prayer’
There’s also the infamous incident involving a piece of steak while on holiday in Dubai.
He has also proved to be a menace when the cameras are rolling as well, regularly walking past teammates semi-naked and breaking into a dance.
His after-match interviews have left many interviewers red-faced, with his no-nonsense response to questions.
His unsuccessful time at Rangers was best known for his famous tattoo on his right hand – a mouth complete with teeth and a tongue that he holds over his face when he scores.
Several of the young Rangers fans thought this was a great idea and followed suit in getting matching tattoos.
(Photo by Craig Foy/SNS Group via Getty Images)
Then there is the unsavoury, naughty nickname that has stuck with him throughout his career.
Cummings has played in the lower leagues of England as well as Scotland and his flamboyancy on the pitch has been just as noticeable as off it.
He famously missed a Panenka penalty in regular time of a 2016 Scottish Cup semi-final, only to have the courage to step up and score the winning penalty in a shootout of that same game.
He has represented Scotland at various age levels and even taken part in friendlies for the national team.
However, Scotland have been reluctant to cap him for the senior team, more than likely due to his laddish behaviour and teenager-like banter.
Cummings has proved to be a popular teammate in the dressing room of every club he’s represented, all that’s missing is a coach able to help control his antics.
The Edinburgh hitman is an interesting proposition for Australia, especially when you look at the ineffective performances of the national team strikers.
Besides I’d love to try and understand a post-match interview with Harry Souttar, Boyle and Cummings all together.
Australia needs to gamble and take a chance on Cummings, like the famous saying there is no risk without reward.
Will
Guest
Weren't you not a fan of selecting non Aussies in the national team after the Japan game? Prefer to bring in someone within our own system if im honest given the talent thats in the Olyroos playing pool anyway.
Nick Symonds
Guest
Olyroos Asian Cup squad announced: Adisu BAYEW, Zaydan BELLO, Jordan BOS, Noah BOTIC, Lachlan BROOK, Kai CALDERBANK-PARK (Gk), Jordan COURTNEY-PERKINS, Luke DUZEL, Taras GOMULKA, Jacob ITALIANO, Alessandro LOPANE, Lucas MAURAGIS, Lewis MILLER, Fabian MONGE, Adam PAVLESIC (Gk), Luka PRSO, Nicholas SUMAN (Gk), Callum TALBOT, Marc TOKICH, Patrick WOOD and Patrick YAZBEK. Three other Australians have also been called up to train alongside the Olyroos: Thymos Caroutas (UE Cornella, Spain) Aydan Hammond (uncontracted) Matthew Scarcella (Xanthi FC, Greece) - https://www.ftbl.com.au/news/olyroos-squad-announced-for-must-win-asian-cup-qualifiers-571469
TenTribesOfTexas
Guest
No depth in Aust strikers? Leckie, JMac, Tags, Rukavitsya, Duke, Kuol, Demi Juric, Botich, Iredale, Angus Chapman. You haven't been paying attention. I would use any of those above in preference to Cummins atm.
TenTribesOfTexas
Guest
Better to blood young Kuol than Cummins.
Punter
Roar Rookie
There is a Sorrento in Italy.
PeterCtheThird
Guest
AdelaideAndy, it appears that you don’t have a No Dickheads policy and that winning matters more. Please explain how selecting this (rhymes with anchor) would sit with a football community that claims to be desperate to sort out the problems that seem to exist within women’s football. And how popular would his oh-so-amusing nickname be with the mothers of young footballing women? Apparently he’s also actually a good bloke because he’s popular in the change rooms. It hadn’t occurred to you that it might just be that his team-mates rhyme with a whole fleet of anchors? The ONLY way this idea might work would be a contract that says the very first time there is one toe out of line, no matter what, where or when, he’s gone, full stop, for ever. No excuses, no appeals, no PR-scripted remorse, just gone.
NoMates
Roar Rookie
I like the guy already after reading that! Cap him ASAP
Nick Symonds
Guest
In other news, Scotland were thrashed by 130 runs by Afghanistan in the T20 World Cup. Mujeeb Ur Rahman took 5 for 20 and Rashid Khan claimed 4 for 9. Afghanistan scored 191 while Scotland were all out for just 60 in 10.2 overs. I hope Cricket Australia don't try and select Scottish players.
TheSecretScout
Roar Guru
hey im not saying put all the eggs in his basket, but he definitely is someone that needs to be looked at closer by selectors a goal every 2+ games is a good record this season for a professional player, regardless of the opposition any player that is taking part in matches each week and contributing in the position they play in (in this case a striker that is scoring goals) should be discussed. there needs to be some training camps for european based players who are on the cusp or have the required potential of being selected.
TheSecretScout
Roar Guru
im surprised no one has asked me to explain this before (as its something that i mention heaps) if we look at it from a strikers point of view and i'll use maclaren as an example. for his club side once you factor in friendlies/cup run/finals he'll play close to 40 games a season (being that he plays for the club that looks like it will dominate the next several years) He'll also be training several times a week with all of his team mates and constantly during that week be working with coaches on specific parts of his game and how he plays within the team. it's also highly likely that he'll get a 3-4 half or full chances to score a goal each week with his club team. now look at it from a national team point of view. you fly halfway across the world to play 2 games in the space of a week and half, 3 or 4 times a year. straight away youre expected to get used to players you dont play with regularily and possibly a system and training from a coach you're not familiar with day in day out and have to adapt accordingly. in terms of actual games, national teams are generally the best players from that country. - The level is much higher so you'll be facing better defenders at national level rather than local club level. therefore you shouldnt receive that many looks at goal. Maclaren knows he can miss 2 or 3 chances for city, because they will create another couple for him before the match is out. playing with your national team, you simply dont have that luxury. If you make a mistake or miss a goal you will generally be punished You might only get 1 chance to score in a game and if you dont take it; theres generally at least 2 other players in the squad that the coach can replace you with hes a phenomenal club striker and always has been since i saw him in his junior days, however i've never been sold on him being a 'national' team player though i am willing to give him 1 final chance though under a younger coach who plays a more progressive type of football and a system that suits maclarens skillset (you have to play a certain way to get the best out of him)
TheSecretScout
Roar Guru
like i said in a couple other posts, name me the 3-4 strikers you're taking to the world cup and the reasons why. recent strikers selected in qualifying in taggart/duke have looked poor and maclaren can only score against minnows
TheSecretScout
Roar Guru
theres nothing wrong with them, theyre still there lol. cummings is a left field choice that actually has merit when you factor in his hibs connection with martin boyle and the success rate of players with scottish connections for the soceroos
Hopper
Roar Rookie
I've taken some notice of the Premier League in Scotland since Ange has been over there. To be honest the standard is not that great. As most football followers would know, apart for the two Glasgow teams in the top tier, whose rosters are mostly filled with imports, there is very little to get excited about. Sure it's an industrious league, plenty of hard workers ranging from lost journeymen to young Scottish hopefuls, whose go to move seems to be the longball. What troubles me is do we really need to delve into the backblocks of a stagnate competition looking for bloodlines that would qualify? I don't thing so. For whatever reason Australia has never been that futile a breading ground for international goal scorers, yet we have done ok at that level. It disappoints to see us constantly combing far off lands, searching for players that really give no value to our long term footballing future, on and especially off the field.
Marcel
Guest
Andy.....what's wrong with the dozen or so young strikers playing in Europe that you told us about the other day?
AGO74
Guest
I think the more relevant record is 3 goals in 9 SPL games (the other 3 goals were against 3rd and 4th division teams in cup football - not exactly SPL standard). Not bad, but a bit early to be handing out a cap since its the first time he's played at this level in almost 5 years.
TheSecretScout
Roar Guru
no difference, its the same principle - (since fifa wont change mandates and im not the manager, you have nothing to fear haha) cummings is a striker many people forget is eligible to play for australia. the national team does not have any striking depth what so ever currently, the only way you build depth is by giving players who are in form a chance to see if they're good enough 6 goals in 13 matches this season is a record that should not be overlooked, regardless of his shenanigans off field
AGO74
Guest
"he is a club striker; not a national team striker (there is a huge difference between the two) " You say this a lot. In your view, what are the main differences between the two?
AGO74
Guest
I'm a little confused by this piece given your previously stated positions a few weeks ago on Fran Karacic and his selection for Australia. What is difference between Fran and this bloke?
TheSecretScout
Roar Guru
who use's that as a standard for the a league? lol
TheSecretScout
Roar Guru
would be a great press conference after the match, dykes could be the interpreter lol