Scotland head coach Steve Clarke has confirmed that Newcastle United winger Harvey Barnes has rejected the chance to switch nations and will instead stay put within the England ranks ahead of the World Cup.
Barnes, 28, qualifies for representing Scotland but has one senior England cap and has scored 12 goals for Newcastle this season.
Speaking after the UEFA Nations League draw, Clarke made the situation clear.
“This time I can say for sure, Harvey’s going to concentrate on trying to play for England,
he’s not going to come to Scotland,” Clarke told BBC Radio 5 Live. “You can put that one out there. Nobody needs to ask me or Harvey about it any more.”
Clarke said he respected the decision while sounding a bit salty.
“Am I disappointed? No, listen, Harvey can make up his own mind. We move on,” Clarke said.
Barnes, for what it’s worth, had previously said a switch was not off the table, but Clarke confirmed the matter is settled just a few months from the 2026 World Cup.
Scotland qualified for the international tournament after finishing top of their group and defeating Denmark 4-2, and Barnes was not part of that run.
Clarke will now finalise his 26-man squad ahead of Scotland’s World Cup opener against Haiti in June, without Barnes among his options.
