Scotland blanked work permit

This has caused a block on Scotland’s new two-year contract and has left the former Defence Force player in no man’s land regarding his professional career.

Scotland is one of five strikers in Beenhakker’s current squad preparing for the CONCACAF Gold Cup. He will be looking to secure his position in the team and strengthen his chances of winning the permit appeal.

A United spokesperson said the club was "astonished" at this decision by a panel consisting mainly of ex-players. Scotland’s agent, Mike Berry, has also promised to follow up the matter to try and ensure that Scotland had something to look forward to when the new season begins.

"They have deprived this player of his livelihood and Dundee United of an extremely valuable squad player. We have been told that Jason was refused his work permit because he was not of the highest calibre and would not make a significant contribution to the Scottish game," said Berry.

"However, they seemed to overlook that today’s football is very much a squad game and Jason was a key element of our team — he had that superb ability to turn a match by using his undoubted exceptional skills. Local politicians are already taking an interest in this disgraceful decision. Jason is deeply upset by this panel slamming the door on him. He loved his life in Scotland and playing football in Scotland and they have taken that away from him," he said.

Though vibrant in the two sessions at the Hilton training pitch earlier this week, Scotland is understandably feeling low but is promising to keep himself up.

He has not had as many appearances for the national team as he would have liked over the past two years, but had been left crossing his fingers in hope of getting the permit. But if all doesn’t go well, Scotland still has hopes of playing in some other overseas professional league.

"It has left me hoping for the best but I am confident that things will work out in my favour," Scotland said. "I heard about the decision here and all I can say is that I’m thankful too at the moment that I’m here with the guys and I have a chance to get some more matches under my belt with the Gold Cup. It’s important that I perform well and that the team does good too. I’m not going to be down over this situation," he added.