Scotland want to offer Newcastle United young gun Elliot Anderson the chance to push for a place at the next European Championships.
Despite making a superb start to the season for the Magpies, playing a starring role at Tranmere in the League Cup, and putting in some bright cameo displays in the Premier League, Anderson was not selected by England Under-21s for games against Italy and Germany at the end of the month.
Anderson has been called up to the Scotland Under-21s, who he qualifies to play for through his grandparents, for a double header against Northern Ireland. But Scotland boss Steve Clarke is well aware of Anderson's progress on the senior stage at Newcastle.
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Not only does Clarke, a former assistant boss to Sir Bobby Robson at St James' Park, keep a watchful eye on progress at United and Anderson's development - but he has had both SFA scout Kevin Dillon and his number 2 John Carver monitoring the teenager's progress in recent years.
Anderson is no stranger to St George's Park with England though after appearing for the Three Lions' Under-19s in a friendly last year. But with Gareth Southgate under more immediate pressure ahead of the World Cup, Scotland will look to convince Anderson he has a clearer pathway to international glory with the Scots.
Scotland could beat England to Anderson by capping him in a UEFA Nations League game or one of the Euro qualifiers next year. The finals in 2024 take place in Germany.
When asked about international football when he broke on to the scene, Anderson said: "I have played for Scotland Under-18s too, I have been doing well and got the man of the match when I last played for them.
"Hopefully I can add to that. My grandma is Scottish so that's the link there."
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