Simon Grayson hails Jordan Rhodes performance for Scotland

Published on 17/08/2012 00:00

JORDAN Rhodes will not allow his first Scotland goal to go to his head, according to club manager Simon Grayson, writes Iain Collin.

The 21-year-old, who is being chased by Blackburn Rovers, marked his first start for his adopted country with a stunning first-half header in Wednesday’s 3-1 win over Australia at Easter Road.

Huddersfield manager Grayson is convinced the Oldham-born player – who qualifies for Scotland because he was schooled north of the Border during dad Andy’s playing days with Dunfermline, St Johnstone and Airdrie – has the ability to score goals at “any level”.

Grayson said: “It is huge credit to him that he was picked in the starting line-up and then he did what he is best at doing, which is scoring goals. He had a few half-opportunities that he made out of nothing and he took his goal very well. We are all delighted for him. He is a very low-key, low-maintenance lad who won’t be getting big-headed about his achievements. He will come into work as normal and get on with his job.

“Jordan has a got a big future in front of him and people will question whether he can make the step up from League One to the Championship, but I think he has got a natural ability to score at any level. He proved [on Wednesday] that he can score at international level.”