In a potential turn of international allegiance, Harvey Barnes is contemplating changing his national representation from England to Scotland. The Newcastle United winger, who played for England in 2020, is now eligible to join the Scottish team thanks to his grandparents.

Barnes’ only appearance for England was in a friendly match against Wales, allowing him to switch teams under FIFA regulations.

Barnes’ Flirtation with Scotland

For several years, the 27-year-old has expressed interest in aligning with Scottish football. Scotland’s manager, Steve Clarke, initiated discussions with him shortly after taking charge.

Despite enjoying some success at the club level, Barnes struggled to secure a position with England’s main squad under managers Gareth Southgate and Thomas Tuchel. He has represented England 14 times at youth levels but has had limited involvement in senior matches.

Consideration of a Switch

With Scotland qualifying for their first World Cup in nearly three decades, the question of Barnes switching his allegiance resurfaced. He admitted to not having given it considerable thought, but he did not dismiss the notion of playing for the Tartan Army.

When asked if he ruled out a switch, he responded: “No, no, of course it’s not [off the table].” He acknowledged his experience with England but confirmed there haven’t been any discussions about a potential transfer.

Barnes would make history as the first male player to transition from playing for England to Scotland should he choose to make the move.

With Scottish football flourishing following a recent dramatic 4-2 victory over Denmark, competition for squad places will be tough. However, Barnes could be a valuable addition, having shown consistent performance in the Premier League and could play a crucial role in the upcoming World Cup.