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Search forSturrock makes Gallagher case
Wednesday, October 15, 2008, 11:00
Gallagher was voted as The Herald's Argyle player-of-the-month for September after some outstanding performances.
He has scored four goals in seven games since arriving on a season-long loan from Premier League club Blackburn Rovers at the end of August.
Gallagher has been capped once by Scotland, but that was in February 2004, when they lost 4-0 away to Wales in a friendly.
He has also played 11 times for his country at under-21 level, as well as in one 'B' international.
Scotland have scored only twice in their first three 2010 World Cup qualifiers, and were held to a 0-0 draw by Norway at Hampden Park, Glasgow, on Saturday.
That match saw 30-year-old Wolverhampton Wanderers striker Chris Iwelumo make his debut as a second-half substitute.
It also led to Glasgow Rangers forward Kris Boyd, who was an unused substitute, announcing he did not want to play for Scotland again while George Burley was manager.
Sturrock, who was capped 20 times by Scotland, is convinced Gallagher has the ability to succeed at international level.
He said: "He's a talented footballer and the system they played the other day (against Norway) is ideal for him.
"He would not let us (Scotland) down. Iwelumo came off the bench to play in that team and he's from our league.
"I'm sure they know about him and, at the end of the day, if he keeps playing the way he is, he will get his chance."
Sturrock continued: "I believe the Championship is as competitive as the Premier League in Scotland.
"A lot of the Scotland squad are playing in that, so it's not as if there would be a culture shock for him.
"He has all the attributes and if they are going to play 4-5-1 or 4-3-3, or whatever you want to call it, he could be an ideal player for that system."
Meanwhile, Gallagher has admitted he does not see his future being at Blackburn next season and expects to be playing somewhere else.
He has made only 17 Premier League appearances for Rovers since the start of 2005/06, and during that time has had two loan spells with Stoke City and one at Preston North End.
Blackburn boss Paul Ince is spoiled for choice when it comes to attacking options.
He can call upon Benni McCarthy, Roque Santa Cruz, Jason Roberts and England under-21 international Matt Derbyshire, another former Argyle loanee.
"Sometimes you have to take a step backwards to move forward and that is what I hope I have done by moving into the Championship," said Gallagher.
"For quite a while now I have thought it might be time for me to leave Blackburn permanently.
"It's disappointing, but that is football. I have to go where I can play regular football and, being honest, I can't see that happening at Rovers.
"At the moment all I can concentrate on is playing for Plymouth. I don't even know what Blackburn are thinking.
"But I have to admit I don't really expect to still be a Blackburn player come next season."
Gallagher admitted his lack of first team opportunities at Blackburn had led to him dropping out of contention for the Scotland squad.
But the Glasgow-born striker has not given up on returning to the international scene at some point.
He said: "What has happened at Blackburn has cost me my chances with Scotland. How can the manager pick me if I am not playing for my club?
"But I still have hopes of getting back involved with Scotland in the future."
Should Gallagher continue to shine for Argyle there is sure to be no shortage of clubs interested in signing him at the end of the season.
But Gallagher has hinted he would be open to the idea of a permanent move to Argyle.
He said: "I'm not giving up on playing in the Premier League. I believe that is where I should be playing, but at the moment I just need to be playing football.
"I'm really enjoying myself at Plymouth. Paul Sturrock is a very good manager and has been great for me.
"Perhaps there will be the chance to stay at Plymouth. I'm leaving all my options open."
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