Scotland head coach Sebastien Pocognoli has made contact with English-born duo Archie Gray and Hayden Hackney about one day playing for Scotland. The Belgian has told the Tartan Army he is 'proactive' in his hunt for players eligible to wear the dark blue shirt and who will improve his current squad.
Tottenham's talented youngster Gray and Everton's £16 million man Hackney both qualify to play for Scotland. Pocognoli revealed he has sounded out the Premier League pair, although no definitive decisions have been made on their international futures.
Previous attempts and successes
Former Scotland boss Steve Clarke tried and failed to entice Elliot Anderson and Harvey Barnes to cross the border. But the likes of Scott McTominay and Che Adams were tempted to switch and have become key players for the national team.
Pocognoli is happy with the squad he has got as he prepares for Nations League games against North Macedonia and Switzerland. But he says it is his job to scour the globe for Scottish players, and admits that Gray and Hackney are on his radar.
Pocognoli's proactive approach
He said: "I am busy with everything. We know which players are eligible to represent the country one day. It won't come from me, it has to come from them to show it. I try to anticipate everything. The best way is to be proactive and creative in certain situations."
"The depth of the squad is already big without these other names. I'm very happy with it because we have a good double-up and triple-up in each position. But it's part of my role, for sure (to find players). Not only for me but for other people working at the Scottish FA. We are on it. We also have a lot of good players in the Under-21s and that's the first step for me, for the future."
"But yeah, I have had direct or indirect contact (with Gray and Hackney). When I go to the direct contact it's because I feel it's a first positive approach. So yeah, I've done it with many players. I'll do my best to bring them."
Eligibility and future prospects
Gray is the son of ex-Scots striker Andy and related to Leeds legends Frank and Eddie Gray, who both won caps for Scotland. He has played for England at every age level, except the A squad. While former Middlesbrough midfielder Hackney previously played for Scotland's U21s side before declaring his allegiance to the Auld Enemy.
Pocognoli says the onus would be on the likes of Gray and Hackney to commit to playing for Scotland. But after making tentative moves, he is refusing to rule them out of future squads.
He said: "It will always be up to them (current players) to be the priority. Because we've built things and we've had time with the ones who are here right now. But we are on it. We are always proactive in all of these situations. What is very exciting about those two names is that they are young players."
"That's interesting. We have to look and manage the situation. But it won't be a definitive choice from them - because we weren't proactive. That has to be clear. We are proactive. The best way to convince players is to show good football, show them they can come to us, enjoy it and be successful. They have to feel when they leave a top club that they arrive here into top conditions and a top environment."
"That's the best publicity we can offer, to show good football. Yeah (McTominay is an example) but there are many. In a good way or a bad way in the past. In the end, it's a human decision, a feeling. I didn't have that case. With my Italian blood, maybe I wasn't that good! But I can understand the feeling of what it's like to have to choose a country, with your background, family, football education and social circle."
"So it's not easy. But it's always a feeling from inside and I need to feel it. When I feel it, I'll try to be on it. It has to be a human connection. There is no rush. It has to be natural but we are on it."
