Steve Clarke drops huge update on Scotland World Cup call-up chances for Newcastle United star as preparations take shape
The winger has already been quizzed on representing Scotland at next summer’s World Cup finals
Steve Clarke will sound out Newcastle United star Harvey Barnes’ to gauge his interest in switching international allegiance to Scotland in time for next summer’s World Cup finals.
The national team boss remained coy when questioned about the chances of Barnes earning a sensational call-up, but Clarke is expected to hold discussions with the attacker’s representatives early in the New Year to find out if he’s fully committed.
The Burnley-born 27-year-old - who qualifies to play for the Scots though his grandparents - has been capped once for England but hinted in an interview with Sky Sports last month that he would be open to pulling on the dark blue jersey in the future.
Barnes would undoubtedly add real quality to Clarke’s attacking options and despite the player being non-committal less than 24 hours after Scotland had secured a dramatic 4-2 win over Denmark to rubber-stamp their ticket at next summer’s tournament, it is understood that talks will begin between the relevant parties in the coming weeks.
Asked if he would be reaching out to Barnes, Clarke said: “Certainly not in the next couple of weeks. I am going to get ready for Christmas. We both have each other’s phone numbers. I don’t know is the honest answer to that one. I will wait and see how it pans out.
Clarke: ‘They have to be good, they have to be committed’
“(There are) loads of names, loads of club managers and agents putting their players forward. They have to be good. They have to be committed, they have to want to play for Scotland.
“I will be able to take 26 players, that has been decided. So, there are some spaces there but not too many. We should be very grateful and loyal to the players that have got us there, I think that is very important.
“That is something we have built over the last six and a half years. We have built a trust with this group of players that we understand each other.
“If you want to get into this squad then you have to be good and committed and there will be some spaces.”
Harvey Barnes’ inclusion won’t disrupt settled squad
Debate continues to rage among the Tartan Army over whether inviting Barnes into an already settled squad who have earned the right to represent their country at a World Cup through topping their qualifying group might unsettle the squad-like mentality that Clarke built throughout his tenure.
However, he refuted such suggestions and recalled his decision to call up English-born striker Che Adams in the friendly window prior to the delayed Euro 2020 tournament. Clarke is adamant any new player would be welcomed into the group with open arms.
He stated: “Football players are quite selfish, they like to think if someone is going to help them be better and the team to be better… Like I said, 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.
“It is a really good, honest, hard-working group of players. Anyone who came in I think will struggle not to enjoy it. Let’s see what happens.”
Hibs star among hopefuls aiming to be part of World Cup squad
Clarke revealed he plans to take some younger players as part of his 26-man squad, even if they’re not playing first-team football regularly with their clubs. The likes of Hibs midfielder Josh Mulligan are among the hopefuls aiming to build on his maiden call-up last month.
He was also quizzed about the possibility of Celtic captain Callum McGregor reversing his decision to retire from international football and re-join the squad for the World Cup.
“We have some younger one who could possibly benefit from being in a World Cup squad,” Clarke admitted. “It doesn’t happen very often. So to get that experience into one or two of the younger ones would be good.
“I will use Lennon Miller as an example. He has obviously gone top Udinese and is not playing very much now, but as long as he gets adequate minutes between now and the end of the season, you would probably take Lennon.
“Even if was not playing regularly for his club you would take him for the experience because he is one for the future.”
On McGregor’s potential return, Clarke added: “Again, everything is open. But he is busy at Celtic.”
Scotland close to finalising pre-World Cup friendlies
The Scots’ preparations for next summer’s tournament are starting to take shape following confirmation that four warm-up matches will be arranged; two in March and two in June.
As things stand, Japan are expected to make the trip to Hampden Park in March and various reports claim African nation are being lined up for a match in England, which could be played at either Newcastle’s St James’ Park or Everton’s new Hill Dickinson Stadium.
At the end of the season, there will be a send-off friendly at Hampden on June 5th or 6th with the squad taking part in short training camp on home soil before Clarke takes his players to Florida to acclimatise to the heat.