Newcastle United's Harvey Barnes is open to the idea of representing Scotland at the upcoming World Cup. Scotland secured their spot in the tournament for the first time since 1998 by defeating Denmark
4-2 at Hampden Park. The team, led by Steve Clarke, will learn their group-stage opponents during the World Cup draw on December 5.
Barnes has been a consistent performer in the Premier League but has only played briefly for England's senior team. He appeared as a substitute in a friendly against Wales in 2020, playing just 17 minutes. Despite scoring nine goals for Newcastle last season, Thomas Tuchel has not called him up again.
The 27-year-old remains eligible to play for Scotland through his grandparents. While he hasn't ruled out changing his international allegiance, Barnes hasn't actively pursued it either. "It's not something I've really spoken about or put thought into recently," Barnes told Sky Sports.
He acknowledged that discussions about his eligibility have surfaced occasionally but haven't progressed. "There's always been talk about it and a while ago there were bits and bobs about it," he said. However, he noted that these conversations haven't advanced recently.
Barnes has an impressive record in the Premier League, having scored 50 goals and provided 32 assists over 211 appearances with Leicester City and Newcastle. His consistent performance makes him a valuable asset on the field.
Reflecting on Scotland's recent success, Barnes expressed his delight at their victory over Denmark. "It was great to see them win and get through last night," he remarked, adding that it was an exciting game for Scottish fans.
While Barnes remains undecided about his international future, he hasn't closed any doors. "Is it closed off? No, of course it's not," he stated. He recognises that his eligibility for Scotland remains intact but admits there's been no significant progress in discussions.
Scotland's qualification for the World Cup marks a significant achievement for the team and its supporters. As they prepare for the tournament, players like Barnes could potentially strengthen their squad if they choose to switch allegiances.
We. Are. There.
Scotland National Team (@ScotlandNT)
As anticipation builds for the World Cup draw on December 5, both fans and players are eager to see how Scotland will fare on the global stage after such a long absence from the tournament.
