Scotland manager Steve Clarke has revealed he will seek clarity on Harvey Barnes's willingness to commit to the national team before considering the Newcastle United winger for selection in March's friendly matches.
Barnes's International Dilemma
The 26-year-old attacker finds himself at a career crossroads regarding his international future. Barnes has one senior cap for England, earned as a substitute in a friendly against Wales back in October 2020. However, with Scotland qualifying for the 2026 World Cup—their first appearance in the tournament since 1998—the possibility of him switching allegiance has resurfaced.
Barnes, eligible through his Scottish grandparents, recently left the door open for a change during an interview. The prevailing feeling within the Scottish Football Association, however, has been that the player still harbours ambitions of adding to his solitary England appearance.
Clarke's Stance on Commitment
Ahead of naming his squad for the upcoming friendlies, Clarke emphasised that any player brought into the fold must be fully dedicated. "They have to be committed, they have to want to play for Scotland," Clarke stated unequivocally. He acknowledged that while there are spaces in the expanded 26-man World Cup squad, they are limited.
The manager dismissed concerns that introducing a new player so close to a major tournament could disrupt the squad's harmony. "Football players are quite selfish," Clarke remarked. "They like to think that if someone is going to help them be better and the team to be better... as long as they come and they are committed then I am pretty sure anyone who comes into this group of players will enjoy it."
Clarke's Own Future Beyond 2026
In a separate development, Clarke has raised the possibility of extending his tenure as Scotland boss beyond the upcoming World Cup. His current contract is set to expire when Scotland's campaign in the tournament ends, and it was widely assumed he would step down at that point.
The 62-year-old, however, is now open to discussions about continuing. He plans to hold talks with the Scottish FA in early 2025 after finalising World Cup preparations. "It would need to be right for me and I would need to find out whether it's right for them," Clarke explained.
He outlined his desire to ensure Scotland's qualification success is not a one-off. "I've got a few questions for them in terms of how we move forward and how we make sure it's not over 20 years before we qualify for another World Cup," he said, expressing belief in the current squad's potential to reach the 2028 European Championship.
