Elliot Anderson was yesterday called into Steve Clarke’s Scotland squad.
The Newcastle midfielder was included in the manager’s upcoming squad for the Euro 2024 qualifier against Cyprus in Larnaca, as well as the friendly match versus England.
There had been speculation over whether Anderson would pick Scotland or England for his national team future.
Now we know where his allegiances lie, here is everything you need to know about the player.
Who is Elliot Anderson?
The 20-year-old, budding Newcastle midfielder, Anderson finds himself playing for The Tartan Army after talks with Scotland manager, Steve Clarke.
Since the age of eight, Anderson has been training with the Newcastle United youth academy alongside the likes of Sean Longstaff. This then led to signing his first professional contract back in 2019, making his first debut for the club in January 2021 against Arsenal.
His 2021-22 season changed as of January 2022, when he played on loan at Bristol Rovers till the season’s end. Soon enough the Magpies youth player found himself being awarded EFL Young Player of the Month and EFL League Two Player of the Month.
After a short while in League Two, Anderson made his way back to his boyhood club showcasing a new spark of energy under Eddie Howe’s Premier League team.
How does he qualify for Scotland?
Anderson was born in Whitley Bay, England but gains his Scottish roots from his Glaswegian grandmother on his father’s side.
The youth player played with the Scottish side at all U16, U17 & U18 levels, however, this spell ended when he moved back to represent U19s England.
Anderson denied the U21 call-up to represent the Scottish side after a one-time appearance against Belgium in June 2022, to continue playing with his loan club, Bristol Rovers.
Approaching his senior international career, Anderson went into talks with Clarke leading to the player being called into the Euro 2024 Qualifier squad against Cyprus.
What has been said about Anderson?
With news about the Newcastle starlet making his first senior international appearance, Howe had a lot to say about what the player could bring to the Scottish side.
Toon boss Howe told The Scottish Sun: “Immediately when I joined Newcastle, you could see Elliot’s talent.”
The Newcastle Manager also went on to describe the driving force behind the young player. He said: “Elliot was our best player in pre-season. That he was ahead of some stellar names was quite something. He has special qualities.”
“Elliot could definitely be a big player for Scotland.”
Even after agonising over what international strip to represent, Clarke ensures the player's value and what he can add to the Scotland team.
“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,” Clarke said. “I think he’s in a really good place, so it’s a good time to bring him into the squad.
“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.”
