Leeds United's Kasper Schmeichel believes he is ready to follow in his famous father's footsteps by keeping goal for his country.
Manchester United legend Peter Schmeichel won a record 129 caps for Denmark and was voted the 'World’s Best Goalkeeper’ in 1992 and 1993.
Now Kasper, 24, wants his share of the senior international action after impressing in Leeds' challenge for promotion from the npower Championship.
Kasper, who faces Portsmouth at Elland Road today, acknowledges that Stoke’s Tomas Sorensen is the Danes’ undisputed number one but feels he deserves a chance.
He has yet to win a full cap and says: “I want to get an international career underway. I am playing regularly for a great team in a great league so I see no reason why I shouldn’t be called in to show what I can do.”
Kasper has represented Denmark at under-21 level but says: “I am not sure why I haven’t been called up for the full Denmark team yet. Maybe they don’t understand what a strong league our Championship is and see it as second division football.
“The Championship is probably the fifth best league in the world, so they should take notice.”
Kasper believes comparisons with his famous father do him no favours at this early stage of his career but adds: “I feel I have been ready for international football for a couple of years now.
“Denmark have a lot of good goalkeepers but at 24 I have played a lot of games and am ready to test myself at full international level.”
Leeds go into today’s game in third place, and Schmeichel says: “We are comfortable challenging near the top. We have to make sure we are still in the play-off zone with about 15 games to go and push on at the business end of the season.”
Leading scorer Luciano Becchio, who celebrates his 27th birthday today, is doubtful after limping off towards the end of the 2-2 draw at Leicester on Sunday.
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