DaMarcus Beasley says SPL title is greater incentive than the World Cup

Published on Friday 25 December 2009 17:54

EARLIER this week, DaMarcus Beasley was indebted to some good Samaritans when his car became stuck in the snow. The efforts of some willing passers-by, not to mention a woman who emerged from a nearby house still dressed in her pyjamas, ensured he was successfully towed out of his predicament. Beasley was later moved to express his gratitude in that most modern way, via his Twitter page.

It was not the first time the American winger had found himself out in the cold this season. But, just as he escaped the icy grip of a Scottish winter, so too he is now basking in the warm glow of a remarkable emergence as a key figure in Rangers' recent eye-catching surge to the top of the SPL.

A few weeks ago, Beasley was facing a crossroads in his career. The 27-year-old's lack of first-team action with the Ibrox club had seen him dropped from the USA international squad, seriously threatening his hopes of appearing in a third successive World Cup finals for his country next summer.

The former PSV Eindhoven and Manchester City player sought talks with Rangers manager Walter Smith and the outcome of that discussion is proving beneficial to both. Beasley's form has been hugely significant in the run of four successive league victories which ensured the reigning champions travel to Easter Road tomorrow as league leaders.

He insists he never agitated for a January move away from Rangers, as was previously suggested in some reports. He is equally adamant his sudden resurgence is not solely motivated by a desire to earn a recall from USA coach Bob Bradley.

"I've always wanted to stay here, I just wanted to play, that was all," said Beasley. "People misread my comments about wanting to play meaning I wanted to leave. Obviously my preference was always to play here. The gaffer and I had a talk about it, which stays between me and him of course, but I just wanted to play, so I'm happy.

"I'm enjoying being back and having fun. It's always good to be back in the first team and the team's doing well, too. We're starting to gel and get the confidence back that we had last season.

"It was very tough when I was out. There were times when I thought I was going to play and then I didn't and that's always a let-down. Plus I've been picking up little injuries here and there that kept me out for four or five weeks then coming back and trying to get in the team. I never really feared that I wouldn't get back to my best because I always have confidence in my ability. You have to be when you're in that position. I always thought I would get back, it was just a matter of when that would be. It came later rather than sooner, but I'm back now and I'm enjoying it.

"It was more frustrating when you thought you were going to play, but you didn't. That's worse than being out the squad and not getting a chance to play. But I was always confident in my ability and knew that if I got out on the field I could make something happen.

"Some people use the World Cup as inspiration, so they play well for their clubs so they can get there. But that's not how I see it. I just want to play. The World Cup is six months away, but if it was two years away I'd still be playing the way I am now. So the World Cup makes no real difference to me right now.

"Being part of a team that won the title and getting an SPL medal would actually mean more to me. The World Cup is at the back of my mind, but it's not my first priority. I've been out of the national team for the last four games and I've not even spoken to Bob Bradley, so that's not even in my mind right now. I hope I get to the World Cup, but my priority right now is Rangers and regaining the SPL title."

Beasley, though, is aware that achieving one of those objectives will probably lead to him fulfilling the other. He remains determined to add to his 89 caps for the USA with their 3 March friendly against the Netherlands in Amsterdam his target for a recall.

"I've had a great ride with the national team," he said, "and I want to get to 100 caps. It is any player's dream to play for their country 100 times. That's my goal and I feel I can get there if I keep playing the way I know I can.

"Obviously the World Cup is at the back of my mind. I've not spoken to Bob Bradley about coming back to the national team, but playing well for Rangers might help me get another shot. I'm happy that I'm putting myself in a position that if I get called in I'll be ready.

"The draw the USA got for the finals with England, Algeria and Slovenia is really exciting for us. To play against England would be fantastic and we will take inspiration from the 1950 game when the US beat them 1-0."

If Beasley can contribute to a repeat of that feat in South Africa next year, it really would be something to tweet about.