Elliot Anderson snubs England in favour of Scotland call-up

Elliot Anderson has been called up by Scotland manager Steve Clarke for their upcoming Euro 2024 qualifying clash with Cyprus.

The Newcastle United youngster had been eligible to play for both England and Scotland, playing for both nation's youth teams, but recently opted to commit his international future to the Tartan Army.

The decision delight Scotland manager Steve Clarke who, recently speaking to the press, said: "I’m very pleased that he is committed. I don’t think it was such a difficult decision for him in the end. He knows we value him and how much we want him to be part of the squad.

“We’ve had good conversations and I know how much he wants to be involved with the squad, which is great. He hasn’t had a change of allegiance. He went to an England training camp and then played for Scotland Under-21s.

"You get to a certain age when he has a choice between Scotland and England. You have to weigh up what you want to do. He took his time to weigh it up and he has come down on our side. I’m pretty pleased about it.

“He is doing well with his club, which is obviously a difficult first team to break into, but he’s utilised often off the bench and had a fantastic pre-season. He’s in a really good place, so it’s a good time to bring him into the squad.

“He’s an attacking midfield player who can bring attacking options. It’s more important that he’s in the group and gets to know the quality we have. He’ll start to learn the standards we want and the way we want the team to play.

“If he can get minutes on the pitch then great. If it’s not and it is still a successful camp then he learns from being within the camp, so that’s also good. I always like to have an element of the squad that can be part of the future and Elliot is one for now and the future. We are showing there is a pathway through for the young boys and there is a chance to come through and play for the national team.”

Clarke has now named Anderson in his senior squad who are due to face Cyprus in a qualifier and, ironically, England in a friendly.

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