Leeds star McCormack can shine for Scotland – Lorimer

The forward made his comeback after an absence of almost two years at international level when he started in the 3-1 win over Wales and then came off the bench against the Republic of Ireland in last month’s Carling Nations Cup tournament in Dublin.

Former Leeds and Scotland midfielder Lorimer knows McCormack endured a difficult start to his own Elland Road career through injury but has predicted a bright future for the 24-year-old for both club and country.

He said: “Ross came to us in the close-season last year and got injured and missed the start of the season.

“We had a good run and it’s difficult to get a player back into the side if you’re winning and doing well.

“Week after week he was playing in the second team and scoring goals. When he did get his chance at the back end of the season, he took it and did well.

“Craig will also have given him a great confidence boost by bringing him back at international level.

“The player would have been thinking to himself that he was on the road to nowhere but now he is back in the ball-game with a big chance.”

Meanwhile, Lorimer believes Leeds’s hopes of a return to the Barclays Premier League rests on their ability to retain their key players.

Another Scotland international, Robert Snodgrass, has recently been linked with a move to newly-promoted Norwich, while Stoke City and Newcastle have reportedly been interested in the player in the past.

Lorimer said: “One of the biggest problems is keeping your good players because the Premier League clubs are always trying to poach them.

“We are hoping they will all stay and be part of getting back (to the Premier League) with Leeds. We play in front of 25,000 to 30,000 every week, even in the league we are in.”