England are hoping to lure Newcastle midfielder Elliot Anderson away from Scotland as the 20-year-old remains eligible to play for both nations
England are hoping to lure Newcastle midfielder Elliot Anderson away from Scotland as the 20-year-old remains eligible to play for both nations
- Gareth Southgate hopes Elliot Anderson will play for England
- The 20-year-old Geordie has represented Scotland at various junior age groups
- He was called up to the Scotland senior team for the European Championship qualifier for the first time last week
Gareth Southgate is interested in recruiting Newcastle midfielder Elliot Anderson to pursue an international career with England.
The 20-year-old Geordie has represented Scotland at various junior age groups, although he once played for England Under-19s.
He was called up to the Scotland senior team for the first time for the Euro 2024 qualifier against Cyprus last week and the prestigious friendly against England on Tuesday – but dropped out of the squad due to injury.
Anderson, who was born in England but has a Scottish grandmother, remains eligible to play for both nations. And Southgate admits England are keeping an eye on the midfielder.
“We liked him and we like him, we think he is a player who is doing really well,” said the England manager. “He was named in the (Scotland) squad earlier this week and I don’t know what the position is at the moment.”
Gareth Southgate is interested in recruiting Elliot Anderson to pursue a career with England
“I saw him being pulled out. Let’s see, this is something that John (McDermott, FA technical director) and others in our organization will take up. He’s definitely a player we like.”
However, Southgate has admitted England have no chance of convincing Brighton striker Evan Ferguson to move from the Republic of Ireland.
The 18-year-old only needs one more cap for the Irish before he is banned from playing for England under FIFA rules. Ferguson withdrew from the Republic’s youngest squad, prompting suggestions that England were keen to pounce on the teenager.
Anderson, who was born in England to a Scottish grandmother, is eligible to play for both nations
But Southgate added: “He made it clear that he felt he was born in Ireland and he represented them. “He’s a bloody good player. We have to respect him, I don’t think he had any idea it would be different.
“At the same time, we looked at (Erling) Haaland and wished he had been available too!” But we have a pretty good number 9 and are very happy with him.