Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
The National (Scotland)
The National (Scotland)
Sport
Robbie Hanratty

Why £40million Spurs starlet is 'unlikely' to complete Scotland U-turn

Tottenham Hotspur's £40million summer signing comes from a family full of Scotland internationals, yet as it stands, is likely to represent England at senior level. 

Archie Gray has joined Ange Postecoglou's squad after developing his skills at Elland Road, where his grandfather Frank and great-uncle Eddie left a lasting legacy.

For years, Archie has been on the radar of the Scottish FA, yet he has progressed through the English youth system and is already making waves with the under-21 team.

There were hopes that manager Steve Clarke might fast-track the 18-year-old into the senior squad as he strives to freshen things up.

However, Gray believes that under Postecoglou’s guidance at Spurs, Archie is poised to thrive, even though it seems increasingly likely that the English national team will reap the rewards of his talent rather than following in his family footsteps.

"I doubt it now, to be honest," his uncle Eddie said about the chances of the Spurs starlet doing a Scotland U-turn. 

"He's captained England school boys and he's in their under-21s already. He's still only 18.

(Image: PA)


Read more: 


"So, it'll be difficult. We just need to wait and see. When you go to school in England and play in their youth system, it makes it more likely I suppose.

"Archie has grown up watching all the English boys playing and then playing with a lot of English boys in the youth teams. It's the same with his brother, Harry. He'll be a good player as well.

“We were down in London, after Leeds played on the Friday night. We went down on Saturday morning and saw Archie and he's very excited. He's got a lot of talent. He's only young, still only 18, so it's a big, big move. But I don't think it will bother him. He's a level-headed boy. And he's got confidence in his abilities.

"He's going to be working under a terrific manager. He likes the manager, he loves the manager. There were a few teams after him, but I think meeting the manager and how he conducted himself swung it for Archie. I think he'll help Archie and I think he'll do very well at Spurs.”

Clarke's position in the Hampden Park hot seat has come under intense scrutiny after another abject showing at the European Championships this summer.

Thursday's 3-2 UEFA Nations League defeat to Poland continued a shocking run of just one victory from their past 13 matches. But the Leeds United hero believes Clarke is doing well considering the tools he has at his disposal. 

"Look, it was a bit of a let down at the Euros, but they did well to get there," Gray explained. 

"Steve’s been getting a bit of criticism but you have to look at the entire scene.

"In the days when Billy (Bremner) and myself played, you had three, four, five Scottish boys at all the top clubs in England. You also had the likes of Rangers and Celtic doing well at the top level in Europe. It’s tough for Steve as he has done well with the squad he’s got.

“I know a lot of work has gone into the academies and so on and you hope eventually that might help get us producing players for the future. But at the moment Steve has to work with what he’s got."

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.