Family friend says McCarthy won’t make Scotland switch

No u-turn: Former Hamilton star McCarthy won't be playing for Scotland.© SNS Group

James McCarthy would refuse any attempt from Craig Levein to persuade him to switch allegiance from Republic of Ireland. Sources close to the player have told the press that there is no prospect of the player turning out for Scotland.

Glasgow-born McCarthy chose to play for Republic of Ireland, where his grandfather was born, at youth level and was handed his first international cap against Brazil last year. However, a Fifa ruling allow the player to switch nationality once under certain circumstances.

McCarthy’s withdrawal from the Ireland squad to play Wales this week fuelled belief that the talented youngster was considering a change to play for Scotland. The Wigan Athletic player’s club manager, Roberto Martinez, hinted that an approach had been made by the Scottish Football Association and said that McCarthy had a “very deep” decision to make about his future.

However, a family friend has told the Scottish Sun that there is no chance of the player joining up with Craig Levein’s squad.

"He is 100 per cent committed to playing for the Republic of Ireland and doesn't know where this has come from,” George Gray told the newspaper. "He didn't travel for the Carling Nations Cup because of a persistent ankle injury. It's as simple as that."

"There has been no discussion between James or anyone from Scotland. Until this week it wasn't even an issue.

"I have spoken to James and his family at great length this morning. All he wants to do is concentrate on his football.“

"He plays for the Republic of Ireland and has done since he was 17. He's looking forward to an illustrious career with them and wants this put to bed once and for all.

"The FAI have been incredibly supportive towards James for a long time, so there is no way he will be jumping ship. He's staying where he is."

McCarthy, who came through the ranks at Hamilton before making the switch to the English Premier League, had previously said that, had Scotland offered him at youth level before Republic of Ireland, he would have committed to playing for the land of his birth.