Steve Clarke has lifted the lid on Elliot Anderson's decision to pick Scotland over England.
The 20-year-old Newcastle midfielder was named in the upcoming national team squad for the double-header against Cyprus and England next month.
It was his first call-up, with the international allegiances not yet known until this morning.
The player was born in England and he had represented them at youth level, as well Scotland.
However, after a "little think", Anderson has elected to commit his international future to Scotland. He qualifies for Scotland selection through the grandparent rule.
And Clarke has revealed that it's one that has taken a while, but an outcome he is pleased with.
Clarke said: “Obviously he’s a good player and he’s doing well for his club. Elliot’s one who has been through the underage groups with Scotland and one we’ve had an eye on. He had an enquiry, a little think about choosing between Scotland and England.
“We had some good discussions with the boy and his family and he’s chosen to come with us which I think is good for us now - and certainly good for us in the future. He’s been with us in general.
"Obviously when you get to a certain stage in your career and you can say your career has started to take off, which Elliot’s has at Newcastle. We’ve got some great reports from people within the club at Newcastle which is great to hear.
“And then you have to make that choice. Elliot was born in England, he’s got decisions to make and we’re just happy he’s come down on our side.
"I’ve always tried to look down towards the underage groups - the Under-21s - to try and give a pathway so we’re not just having a squad for now but looking to build a squad that will carry us through not just the next tournament but the one after that and the one after that and Elliot is part of that process.
“We’ve had a great start to the current qualifying campaign and we’ll look to continue that against Cyprus but if you can blood players in good moments then it’s probably easier than in difficult moments.”
