UF Quick Throw: Driver Denied

No Scotland for you young Driver.

Remember we told you earlier in the week that Englishman and Hearts winger, Andrew Driver had decided to play for Scotland; qualifying after spending several years in the Scottish school system and playing for Scotland school boys? Well– he has fallen short of the 5 year’s at school ‘north of the border’ required…By just two months (you couldn’t lie?)

This makes Driver ineligible to switch allegiances and now if he wants to play international football it will have to be for England.

Scotland Get A Driver

Certainly looks Scottish to me!

New Scotland manager Craig Levein says he will look at ‘anyone who wants to wear the Scotland jersey’. Hear that U75? Give old Craig a call.

Levein is looking to bring back some old faces to the Scotland squad ahead of European qualifiers, as well as some new ones.

One ‘new face’ will be English born, Andrew Driver. The lad has played for the England under 21 team but qualifies to play for Scotland under a new rule that allows those with 5 years of ‘schoolboy’ national appearances to be eligible.

Andy driver gave me the nod yesterday and he was dead keen. I said ‘Do you want to go away and think about it?’ He said ‘No, my mind is made up, I want to play for Scotland” – Scotland manager Craig Levein on Andrew (traitor—I kid!) Driver.

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Hard Choice Andrew? Let Me Help You.

He looks Scottish doesn't he?

Is he English, is he Scottish? Andrew Driver isn’t sure for certain, one thing that he is sure of is that he is hedging his bets.

Driver was born in Oldham in the north of England before moving to Scotland at the age of 10. He played for Scotland schoolboys and this year was called up to Stuart Pearce’s  England under 21’s team to play in the European Championships. At that time, Hearts winger Driver declared his “delight” at being picked for his country. But NOW, new rule  changes that allow a player to play for a national team if they were educated in that country for more than 5 years, make Driver eligible for Scotland!

The under 21 appearances for England don’t count in the grand scheme of things but once you wear an international shirt for the first team, that’s it, you are tied. Ryan Giggs played for England schoolboys before making the mistake decision to play for Wales.

Driver now says that the rules that prevented him from playing for Scotland were ‘unfortunate’. The winger is certainly choosing his words carefully, like all good fence sitters do. However, his agent is doing his talking for him, enough talking to get a response from the Scottish FA and Manager George Burley…

“If he’s ever asked to represent Scotland, then he’ll have a decision to make.” Driver’s agent, Scott Fisher.

A decision to be made? I don’t think so. Let me help young Driver out. If you see yourself as English enough to play for the under 21’s and recognised that you were not Scottish at that time, then a call up to the Scottish team should pose no issue.  If Scotland really is an option that Driver is considering, then he should take it. England fans only want committed, dedicated players (who are passionate about their country) wearing the three-lions on their chests. Not players who just fancy international football.