Macca targets Scotland return

5:00pm Thursday 10th January 2013 in Sport By Andy Naylor

Craig Mackail-Smith Craig Mackail-Smith

Craig Mackail-Smith wants to win back his Scotland place by staying on the goal trail with Albion.

The Seagulls’ top scorer is sorry Craig Levein lost his job but eager to impress his Scotland successor.

Mackail-Smith has represented his adopted country six times but has not featured for them since a 5-1 friendly defeat in the USA last May.

Injury sidelined the Watford-born marksman from Levein’s plans at the beginning of the season and he missed out on a recall before Levein paid the price for Scotland’s poor start to their World Cup qualifying campaign.

Mackail-Smith, below, who qualifies through a grandparent, said: “I really appreciate him giving me the opportunity to play for Scotland. He was a fantastic manager while I was there. It’s a very difficult job. You are based solely on results and don’t have much time.

“The qualifying campaigns don’t last long and you want to be in those tournaments. That is just the way it panned out, he didn’t get the results he needed.

“Now a new man is going to come in and I have to do the best I can for Brighton, score goals and make sure I put myself in contention for the squad.

“I loved every minute of the games I have been involved in and I want to get involved in more, play more qualifying games and hopefully get to a major tour nament with Scotland.”

Mackail-Smith, 28, has bagged 11 goals for Albion this season, which already equals his tally for club and country last season.

He scored the only goal against this Saturday’s visitors Derby County at Pride Park last season and lifted his career tally in the Football League to 100 in the Seagulls’ latest Championship outing at Ipswich.

Comments(16)

saraman says...
5:19pm Thu 10 Jan 13

Score a few more goals for The Albion Macca and a recall will be assured. It's always a boost for any club to have internationals on their books.

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pablobrowno says...
5:28pm Thu 10 Jan 13

Shame you miss the easy ones Craig or you would be in the side no probs!

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Far gull says...
5:32pm Thu 10 Jan 13

yep ,said he would not be leaving just yet. Exellent. Unlees just another soppy argus , lack of any real news headline.

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Nathan L says...
5:34pm Thu 10 Jan 13

He should be in the Scotland squad. He would compliment Rhodes up front, he is better than Mccormack, and offers far more than that useless Miller. 11 goals isn't a bad tally at all and more than capable of reaching 20 that i am confident he will reach. Hopefully get a brace against Derby and show that he is a capable goalscorer on top of all the other things he does that are integral to the team.

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tug509 says...
6:28pm Thu 10 Jan 13

Take a look at the Derby supporters forums,and you will be surprised at just how pessimistic at the prospect of playing us they are. UTA

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VegasSeagull says...
7:10pm Thu 10 Jan 13

tug509 wrote:
Take a look at the Derby supporters forums,and you will be surprised at just how pessimistic at the prospect of playing us they are. UTA
I did as you suggested Tug and you are right.
Of the thirty or so postings I read the vast majority of Derby fans are predicting a Brighton win.

One said, 'we are as good as a Newcastle second team so 3-1 Brighton,' or words to that effect.

.

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klemaniac says...
7:19pm Thu 10 Jan 13

From the official site

Midfielder Matt Sparrow has joined Sussex neighbours Crawley Town

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Seagullkid says...
8:21pm Thu 10 Jan 13

here we go again all talk about what I am going to do, just do your talking on the pitch its what you are paid for,then we shall see!

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jackjessmax says...
9:08pm Thu 10 Jan 13

klemaniac wrote:
From the official site Midfielder Matt Sparrow has joined Sussex neighbours Crawley Town
Best wishes, Matt.

Good Div 1 player.

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championshipgull says...
9:25pm Thu 10 Jan 13

CMS has put in some superb performances this season, any championship side would love to have him, he has missed a few as all strikers do but his goal tally and conversion rate is still decent.

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fratsomrover says...
10:19pm Thu 10 Jan 13

Macca targets Scotland return.
Dont look a gift horse in the mouth Gus.
Try and swop him for Samaras, he could be just the big target man we need

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Bucket feet Duffy says...
10:22pm Thu 10 Jan 13

Can't wait for Saturday feel the confidence after the last couple of results is coming back to supporters and players alike we need to get behind the players and get an early goal if we can and the rest will follow.

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young brighton fan says...
1:00am Fri 11 Jan 13

why is the Argus missing out the story that Matt Sparrow has terminated his contract with the albion. He has joined crawley on a free transfer till end of the season. so i would like the thank Matt for Everything his done for the club and will help Crawley in league 1 like he helped us.

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mikeygit says...
8:12am Fri 11 Jan 13

Good if Macca stays and other players--but am getting a little edgy at no news on transfers---even nothing on any rumours site of any note---not that one can believe them, but we are now well into January and I just hope things do not start to move right at the end of the month. Very difficult for Gus I know but I wish we could put this one to bed and concentrate on the League.

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pjwilk says...
10:16am Fri 11 Jan 13

Rather hear us targeting a return to the Premiership.Internat
ional careers are short lived and dependant of the Manager.

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Gee Jay says...
5:58pm Fri 11 Jan 13

Go for it Macca.....starting tomorrow afternoon.

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