Maurice Edu insists he is up for the Concacaf Gold Cup despite the disruption to his Rangers pre-season.
Gers midfielder keen to help country this summer
United States international Maurice Edu insists he is up for the Concacaf Gold Cup despite the competition disrupting his Rangers pre-season.
The 25-year-old midfielder has missed the past two tournaments due to injury and insists he had no second thoughts about missing this year's renewal.
The USA face Spain in a friendly on Saturday before their Gold Cup campaign begins with group matches against Canada, Panama and Guadeloupe.
The competition, which is being hosted by the USA, finishes on June 25, after Rangers return for pre-season training.
Edu is hoping Gers' new manager Ally McCoist will be sympathetic towards his ambition to represent his country as much as possible, even though it will disrupt his pre-season preparations.
Importance
"It's an important tournament and so far I haven't played in it so I'm looking forward to that," he told the club's
official website.
"I missed the last couple through injury but if we win this one we qualify for the Confederations Cup, which is very important for us.
"It's a short time that I have had off before going back into match mode with my country. It doesn't give much chance for a break, but that's football nowadays.
"I'm sure the gaffer will be sympathetic about my situation when I'm done.
"I'm at a stage in my career where I want to play as many games as possible and I'm getting the chance to do that now so why would I complain?
"Whenever I pull on my country's colours it's a great feeling and I take a great pride every time I get the chance to represent my country."
