MARK Crossley's record since rivalry was renewed between Blackburn Rovers and Nottingham Forest might tempt those who remain cynical of standards north of the border that he is ideal material to become a Scottish goalkeeper.

And that's exactly what the Barnsley-born star of Forest's recent UEFA cup run wants to be!

Despite club manager Frank Clark's advice, Crossley has declared himself "Scottish" in footballing terms and is waiting to hear if he will get a chance in the next round of matches coming up soon.

So he might not be too happy that he has to face Alan Shearer and company just days before Craig Brown names his national squads.

For, in five games against Rovers, Crossley has conceded a staggering 19 goals, including the not-so-magnificent - as far as he was concerned - seven at Ewood in November.

On the other hand, the giant keeper might well consider this is the best of all times to face his least-favourite attack.

Forest have one of the meanest home defences in the Premiership and have lost only one League game at the City Ground this season.

Rovers, in contrast, have one of the worst away goals tallies, despite that recent Shearer hat-trick against Tottenham at White Hart Lane.

If he achieves a rare individual success in tomorrow's showdown, Crossley could take a big step towards another possible confrontation with the Rovers striker - at Wembley on June 15.

For the European Championships are his target and you can bet that Shearer will be there ready to gun down the old enemy.

Colin Hendry's superb performance against Les Ferdinand on Monday night could well have ended any threat to Shearer's place against the Scots and his Ewood team-mate in summer.

A Jack Charlton-style loophole allows Crossley to change his nationality, in football terms - he has a Scottish grandmother!

And he hopes his family background will pay a rapid dividend, having been told by Brown that he is on stand-by for a B international against Denmark later this month.

"It is a foot on the ladder and my ambition has got to be the Euro 96 championships with Scotland at Wembley this summer," said the keeper.

"I could have hung on and tried to get into the England squad but it was not really a difficult decision once it became clear I was qualified for the Scots.

"In my view, Terry Venables has already settled on his three keepers in David Seaman, Ian Walker and Tim Flowers - and David James is coming up fast.

"Andy Goram and Jim Leighton are both in their thirties for Scotland, while I'm only coming up 26. I've got the chance to stake a claim."

His City Ground boss Clark, however, has more than a few misgivings about the decision.

He feels that, while Seaman is "far and away" the best, Crossley ranks alongside the other challengers such as Flowers and Walker.

"I don't think he should rule himself out for England yet," said Clark.

"He should be patient, I think he's there among the rest."

And the decision could cost Crossley money.

For, when it comes to negotiating a new contract, Clark has made it clear he would be prepared to put in extra payments for England international appearances, but not for Scotland caps.

The manager, perhaps, shares the cynical English view of Scottish goalkeepers!

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