Scotland has expressed interest in acquiring the services of Newcastle winger Anthony Gordon after his recent exclusion from the England squad. Despite Gordon’s contributions to England’s under-21s, including helping them secure victory in the European Championship, he has been overlooked by manager Gareth Southgate for upcoming matches against Malta and North Macedonia.
Gordon’s success with Newcastle, marked by goals against their main rivals, hasn’t swayed Southgate, who has favored other wide forwards like Jarrod Bowen, Jack Grealish, Bukayo Saka, and Phil Foden. The Daily Record reports that Scotland is now eager to capitalize on this situation and is actively pursuing Gordon to switch allegiances.
With the Euros on the horizon, Scotland sees Gordon as a valuable addition to their squad.
Despite a commendable qualification performance, Scotland has struggled to leave a mark in recent major tournaments. Gordon is just one of several English players Scotland is trying to convince to represent them.
Born in Merseyside, Gordon is eligible to play for Scotland due to his paternal grandparents.
Teammates Harvey Barnes and Tino Livramento from Newcastle are also reportedly on Scotland’s radar. Scotland’s assistant manager, John Carver, acknowledged their interest in new players, emphasizing the importance of considering players with Scottish relatives. He stated, “If someone has a Scottish relative, we have to look into it.”
Carver further explained that while the decision ultimately rests with the player, they are aware of the significance of such choices for their future.
He closely follows Newcastle, noting the presence of quality players who, despite not earning caps for England at the senior level, remain eligible for Scotland.
In a recent international friendly, England emerged victorious against Scotland with a 3-1 scoreline at Hampden Park.
Scotland’s current offensive threats include Lyndon Dykes and Ryan Christie. The pursuit of players like Gordon reflects Scotland’s ambition to strengthen its squad and make a more impactful showing in upcoming competitions.
As Scotland navigates its efforts to entice players with Scottish heritage, the football landscape continues to evolve, presenting opportunities for international allegiances to shift, creating an intriguing dynamic in the world of football diplomacy.
