Matt Phillips reiterates his commitment to playing for Scotland

Blackpool attacker Matt Phillips says he has no thoughts of changing his decision to represent Scotland after being ruled out of Wednesday’s friendly with Slovenia.

The former England Under-20 international qualifies to play for the national side through his grandfather, who was born in Ayrshire.

A hamstring injury sustained in a game against West Ham last week has denied Phillips the chance to win his first Scotland cap.

However despite being asked to change his mind and return to England by Stuart Pearce, the Aylesbury-born player insists his mind is made up.

On his decision to reject England, he told several newspapers: "I spoke to Stuart Pearce because it had to come from me.

“I had a number of conversations with him – but I haven’t made this decision in a month.

“It’s been ongoing and something that’s always been at the back of my mind – that one day I’d play for Scotland.

“A lot of people might say I’ve sat around and waited but I told him I wanted to come away and play for Scotland.”

Blackpool boss Ian Holloway stated his belief that his forward was good enough to play for the Three Lions, however Phillips says he has no regrets.

He said: “I had two choices – to sit and maybe wait for the England Under-21s or come and be a full international for Scotland.

“But even if England asked me to play for their 21s, I had made up my mind.”

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