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Harvey Barnes is open to switching his international allegiance from England to Scotland. The Newcastle United winger was capped for the Three Lions in 2020, however, he remains eligible for Steve Clarke’s World Cup qualifiers through his Scottish grandparents. Barnes sole England appearance came in a friendly against Wales, meaning he can represent the Tartan Army under FIFA rules.
Barnes’ on-and-off flirtation with Scotland
The 27-year-old has flirted with Scottish football for the past few years, prompting Clark to pursue talks with the winger in the early days of his tenure.
While the former Leicester City winger has enjoyed successful spells since his international debut, he has been unable to carve out a place in Gareth Southgate or Thomas Tuchel’s squad. Barnes represented England 14 times at youth level; his sole senior cap came in a 14-minute cameo against Wales in October 2020.
With Scotland qualifying for their first World Cup in 28 years, the idea of Barnes switching allegiances was put to him once again. While he admitted he hasn’t given it much thought, Barnes refused to close the door on playing in front of the Tartan Army.
Scotland switch is ‘not off the table’
Barnes was speaking to Sky Sports earlier this week. When asked if he had ruled out changing his international allegiance, Barnes said: “No, no, of course it’s not [off the table].
“I’ve clearly performed for England and I do know the eligibility facet’s nonetheless there. So, it is exhausting to say both method however there’s been no actual chats or any type of development in that sense.”
That non-committal reply will do little to immediate Scotland boss Clarke to go banging down Barnes’ door. The previous West Brom and Studying supervisor final spoke on Barnes eligibility in 2023, the place he revealed he had made remark with the participant to debate his worldwide future.
He mentioned: “I’m not going to say I have never spoken to Harvey, as a result of I’ve. However that was a very long time in the past. I have never heard from him since. The following cellphone name will not be from me.”
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Barnes may turn into first man to modify allegiance from England to Scotland
If Barnes does resolve to modify his allegiance from Wembley to Hampden, he could be the primary males’s participant to look for Scotland after incomes a senior England cap.
Former Everton and Manchester Metropolis goalkeeper Sandy MacIver selected to characterize Scotland after showing in a pleasant for the Lionesses in 2021. Now turning out within the NWSL for the Washington Spirit, MacIver has made 5 appearances for Scotland since making her debut in 2023.
What would Barnes convey to Scotland?
Scottish soccer is driving an unbelievable excessive within the aftermath of their scintillating 4-2 win over Denmark earlier this week. That well-known win secured Clarke’s facet a spot in subsequent summer season’s World Cup; competitors for spots in his closing squad will probably be fierce as proud Scottish gamers struggle for the uncommon alternative to characterize their nation on the most important stage.
The extensive males have been extremely influential within the essential qualifying victory, with Ben Gannon-Doak establishing Scott McTominay’s overhead kick, and Kyle McClean sending Hampden Park into raptures along with his final minute effort from the midway line. Captain John McGinn usually operates from the left flank for Clarke’s facet, which means beginning choices for Barnes could possibly be be restricted; particularly when you think about the supervisor’s loyalty to his squad. The beginning XI towards Denmark held greater than 600 caps between them. Would these battle-hardened veterans of this facet be comfortable to lose their spot to a participant that has flirted with the concept of becoming a member of them for one of the best a part of 5 years?
Nevertheless, the Newcastle winger could possibly be a gorgeous squad choice. The 27-year-old has been a constant Premier League operator since making his debut for Leicester Metropolis again within the 2017-18 season. With 4 objectives and two assists in restricted recreation time for the Magpies this season, the Scottish FA could properly pursue Barnes one final time, to assist their heroic facet hearth on all cylinders in North America subsequent summer season.
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