Former Dundee striker Jason Cummings says he was “massively misunderstood” in Scotland after realising his World Cup dream with adopted nation Australia.
The 27-year-old was named in the Socceroos’ 26-man squad that will travel to Qatar after impressing at A-League side Central Coast Mariners.
The ex-Hibs star is delighted to have made the most of his opportunity Down Under – an opportunity he says he never got at Dens Park.
Cummings left the Dark Blues last January after being sent home from training by manager James McPake following an appearance on stage dressed as Batman villain the Joker at an Open Goal event.
Prior to that he’d played a bit-part role for the Dark Blues in the top-flight after finishing the previous season as top scorer in the club’s promotion from the Championship.
“It is amazing, a dream come true,” he told the Daily Record after his World Cup call-up.
“I can hardly put into words what it means.
“I would say it is the proudest moment of my whole career to be called up for Australia for the World Cup. A lot of people in Scotland had written me off.
“There were claims I had a bad attitude and I was this and that. I was just the class clown and the joker. That was never the case.
“Football always comes first, and at my last club I wasn’t playing and I wasn’t getting the opportunity I have got across here.
“Now I am playing, doing well and I am making my name as a footballer.”
‘Toxic’
Cummings has embraced life in Australia and has been a key player for Central Coast Mariners.
Last season he scored 10 times in 21 appearances and he’s continued on the goal trail in 2022/23 as well, netting two in four.
That brought him to the attention of national team boss Graham Arnold before the eventual call-up to Qatar 2022 where Australia will take on France, Denmark and Tunisia in Group D.
“I feel like I was massively misunderstood in Scotland,” Cummings added.
“A lot of people were more interested in what I was doing off the park than on it.
“It can be very hard and toxic at times, especially when you have a bad game or things are not going well. People can be quick to jump on your back but it is very different in Australia.
“It is much more laid-back and I am able to play with a freedom and an enjoyment. I feel this move has helped me grow as a person and as footballer.”
He added: “A lot of that has been down to (head coach) Nick (Montgomery).
“Nick had faith in me, has played me every week and I know he has a faith in me that maybe other managers haven’t had in the past.”
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