Hot-shot Rhodes ready to make grade with Scotland says Clark

Thirteen goals in his last five games, including three hat-tricks, have shot Rhodes to prominence and manager Lee Clark is in no doubt that he deserves a call-up to the full Scotland squad for next month’s friendly in Cyprus.

“I have played with some of the best in world football in Shearer, Phillips, Owen, Saha, Ferdinand and Cole and they were phenomenal goalscorers but I’m not sure any of them lads had 13 in five,” said the former Newcastle midfield player after Town eclipsed their record unbeaten start to a season set in 1962-63 when Derek Stokes was leading the line.

Scouts from eight Premier League clubs monitored Rhodes, who scored five goals for Scotland Under-21s in their recent two games, and Clark continued: “The best thing about it is that he’s such a terrific kid who wants to improve and he loves it here. I do know what will be coming in the coming weeks, all the nonsense about him going here, there and everywhere.

“But the chairman (Dean Hoyle) has declared that he does not have to sell him, does not want to sell him and does not want to jeopardise what he wants – this club to be playing at a higher level. That means more to him than putting more money in his own pockets – he’s got enough of that anyway!”

Asked if Scotland manager Craig Levein could resist naming Rhodes in the senior set-up, Clark said: “Only if we can bend the rules and get Fabio Capello to pick him for England instead. It’s got to be nailed on, why not?

“Is not a friendly the time to try out people who are coming through? You cannot ignore what Jordan is doing. Scotland have some terrific strikers already but they don’t have a huge pool so throw Jordan into the mix, see what he is like.

“He looks like he responds to the better players he plays with. If he gets opportunities, no matter who he is playing against, he will score goals because he is a natural goalscorer. I would assume that he is very much on their radar. The chief executive of the Scottish FA (Stewart Regan) was here today and that performance will be earmarked and there will be a very positive report going back to the Scottish manager.”

Oldham-born Rhodes only qualifies for Scotland because he spent much of his school days in the country while dad Andy was in goal for Dunfermline and St Johnstone and Livingston-born team-mate Scott Arfield admits he did rib his colleague about his tenuous link, though he has since changed his tune.

Arfield, a former Scotland Under-21 player himself, said: “With me being Scottish, I take a massive pride in the national team and I think Jordan needs to be in the next squad – he cannae do any more with 13 goals in five games.

“If you look up and down Britain you won’t find a striker who is in better form. The first time I came down I thought he’s not really Scottish but the more I talk to him the more I see that he really loves the country and if he’s going to score goals like that for me and all my family and everybody that follows that Tartan Army then I don’t care at all.”

Rhodes prefers not to think too far ahead but said of his hot streak: “I’m still doing the same things and I’m still approaching training and the games in the same manner – I don’t feel like anything has changed on or off the field. Sometimes you do things without realising, but I can only praise the delivery I’m getting; the ball in from Jack Hunt on the right for the second goal and Scotty Arfield, who I thought had a terrific game today, did well for the third one.

“The first came from someone else’s mistake – it was unfortunate for the goalkeeper but as a striker you generally find that someone has to make a mistake along the line somewhere.”

Rhodes was presented with an open goal in the early stages when Iain Turner rushed out to clear but missed his kick.

Preston were galvanised but could not break through as Town goalkeeper Ian Bennett arched backwards to paw away a looping deflected shot from Iain Hume and captain Peter Clarke made a tremendous tackle on Adam Barton inside the six-yard area.

In a match of Championship intensity, Town wrestled their way back and a four-man crossfield move enabled Hunt to deliver a pinpoint cross which Rhodes headed home off the inside of the post to make it 2-0 in the 42nd minute.

Town maintained their tempo after the break and should have coasted home after Rhodes took a return pass from the outstanding Arfield, side-stepped Clarke Carlisle and placed home the third in the 57th minute.

However, sloppy play from Antony Kay enabled Hume to cross for Juvhel Tsoumo to convert from close range four minutes later and only a flying save from Bennett from Keammar Daley’s curling free-kick prevented an anxious finale as Town stretched their unbeaten league run to 39 games.

Of Bennett’s earlier save, Clark added: “He said it was his 40th birthday last week but I’m not sure 40-year-olds can do that type of thing, showing that type of agility.”

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Huddersfield Town: Bennett, Hunt, Clarke, Kay, Woods; Arfield, Johnson, Miller, Roberts (Ward 69); Lee (Novak 66), Rhodes. Unused substitutes: Colgan, Naysmith, Robinson.

Preston North End: Turner, McLean (McLaughlin 55), Devine, Carlisle, Parry; Coutts, Ashbee (Daley 55), Barton, Mayor; Tsoumou, Hume (Gray 69). Unused substitutes: Alexander, Arestidou.

Referee: M Halsey (Lancs).