Jason Cummings left Scotland as the Joker but knows he is having the last laugh after he netted a place in Australia’s World Cup squad.
The on-form striker admitted his inclusion by boss Graham Arnold is “a dream come true” and that the call-up “is the proudest moment of his career”. The 27-year-old believes it justifies his decision to quit his homeland for a fresh start Down Under, the birthplace of his mum Tracey.
Cummings – who won two Scotland caps in friendlies against Holland and Hungary in the 2017-18 season – hasn’t looked back as he has relaunched his career with Central Coast Mariners. The A-League star and Qatar -bound Socceroo is now a million miles away from the person and player who left Scotland at the end of his time at Dundee – which came to an abrupt end after his infamous stint as the Joker at the Open Goal live show in 2021.
A delighted Cummings told Record Sport : “It is amazing, a dream come true. I can hardly put into words what it means to me and to describe to you how I am feeling.
“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 was the 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.”
The ex- Hibs star and Rangers loanee, who recently scored on his Australia debut against New Zealand, believes coming out of the spotlight has helped him. Cummings admitted: “I feel like I was massively misunderstood in Scotland. 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.
“When I came across here in January, I just wanted to prove to everybody that I am a good player and I am capable. I came out here determined to let my feet do the talking.
“I had to get back scoring and creating goals and I have done that in Australia.”
Cummings also said a big thank-you to Central Coast Mariners boss and ex-Scotland Under-21 cap Nick Montgomery for giving him the platform and opportunity to turn his career around. He said: “A lot of that has been down to Nick. He took me out here, believed in me and plays in a style, with two strikers, that gets the best out of me. 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.
“I came out to Australia, worked hard and as I started to do well for Central Coast Mariners I began to set myself more and more goals. I knew the World Cup was on the horizon and that was one I was aiming for.”
Club-mate Garang Kuol, who is Newcastle United-bound, woke him up to break the news of his call-up. It was followed up by a congratulatory call from Arnold later in the day.
Cummings admitted the first person he called was his mum and it was an emotional moment. He also celebrated with his dad David and girlfriend Hannah.
He explained: “I got up at 7.30am this morning and my team mate Garang had tried to call me. He had also made the squad and he woke me up.
“There was a message there from one of the officials of the Socceroos congratulating me. I teared up a wee bit after it began to sink in.
“My mum was the first person I spoke to after my call-up. She was born in Australia so I knew what it meant to her.
“She has been there through the ups and downs and it was brilliant to share the news with her. I have to admit I got a bit emotional and I welled up when I told her.
“It is good when you can give the people close to you that little bit back. I’m now trying to get my mum, dad and girlfriend flights to Qatar.”
The Socceroos take on France, Tunisia and Denmark in their World Cup group. Cummings said: “I am just delighted for everybody who has helped get there. Now I have to go out there, work hard and see what’s what in Qatar.”
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