Scotland call then wedding has Fox in dreamland
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ROSS County goalkeeper Scott Fox faces a whirlwind few weeks – joining the Scotland squad just days before he is due to get married.
Fox earned a recall to the national side after Dundee’s Scott Bain and Hull’s Allan McGregor withdrew from friendlies against Italy and France through injury.
It means Fox can potentially line up against two of the world’s best sides this Sunday then the following Saturday in what would be the biggest days of his professional life, ahead of the biggest day in his personal life when he marries fiancee Charlotte.
Former Partick Thistle stopper Fox was handed his first call-up to Gordon Strachan’s side in November 2013, for friendly games against the USA and Norway, but did not make his debut.
However, a stellar first season with the Staggies, in which he was a stand-out performer en–route to a League Cup triumph and a top-six finish, shows he is still in Strachan’s thoughts.
A delighted Fox said: "It’s a shock to be fair, but I’m looking forward to it, and it’s a couple of big games as well.
"I come back on June 4, I get married on June 10, and then I go away to New York on June 12, so it’s worked out perfectly. It’s going to be a big couple of weeks.
"We finished after the Aberdeen game (a 4-0 win), so I chilled for four or five days, doing family things. That has changed as I now have to get ready to go and train again, however it’s a massive thing for me.
"Looking at the three Scotland goalkeepers, in David Marshall, Craig Gordon and Allan McGregor, someone might need to get a wee injury in order for me to get my opportunity and that’s what’s happened."
The 28-year-old has battled back from two serious injuries – one knee and one ankle – to become County’s number one again and will face fresh competition next season.
After Gary Woods was allowed to return to Leyton Orient at the end of his loan spell, County boss Jim McIntyre moved quickly to sign recently-released Wolves goalkeeper Aaron McCarey on a two-year deal.
If Irishman McCarey needed to be sold on a move to Dingwall, he just needs to look at Fox to see what can be achieved.
He said: "When I left Thistle, I said I wanted to go and play in big games and win cups and try and get into the Scotland squad.
"It’s been a hard season but we’ve done well – the team has been brilliant. That’s what’s given me the platform to get this opportunity.
"The manager and (keeper coach) Scott Thomson put that in me and I think it’s shown. Hopefully I can continue that.
"I was kind of taken aback by it the first time. There were Premier League players and at the time I was just coming from Partick. I’m a bit older and wiser now, so I’ll just enjoy it."
