Dundee United loan star Daniel Bennie is at the centre of an international tug of war between Scotland and Australia. Scotland Under-21s boss Tony Docherty has approached the winger to see if he would play for the young Scots.
Bennie, who is on loan from Queen's Park Rangers, spent time as a youngster in Perth. The 20-year-old has played for Australia at under-17 and under-20 level, but Scotland are hoping to persuade him to switch allegiance.
Goodwin confirms approach
United boss Jim Goodwin confirmed: "I've had contact with Tony Docherty about Daniel and I know they're keeping close tabs on him."
"So Daniel's in a very good position where he can choose to go Australia or go Scotland. I think the only difference is between the two nations is that Australia have got this 23's team that will be going towards the Olympics and that might be a factor within what decision he makes."
Goodwin added: "But it's a great position for him to be in. Coming to United has raised his profile and has obviously put him now on the radar of the SFA, which is brilliant."
Scottish background and future options
"With regards to Daniel, I think it's a good position for him to be in. He's got a Scottish background in terms of family members and things like that, so we'll see how it all plays out. Yes, both are live options. He's very lucky that he's got the option to choose between both. So we'll see what decision he comes to in the weeks and months ahead."
Goodwin knows Bennie has a lot to weigh up. He added: "No, look we're all going into too much detail, I think they have reached out to Daniel and his representatives. Tony Doc, I think is a great appointment for the 21's there in Scotland. I think they've got a brilliant young group of players."
"When you look at the senior national team just now, I think a lot of those players within the national team have maybe got one, possibly two major tournaments left in them. So I think there's a really good opportunity for young players within the 21's squad to be staking the claim. The new manager has already shown that he's willing to bring these young players over."
Focus on development at Tannadice
Goodwin has spoken to Bennie about his international future, but he is just looking for him to maximise his time at Tannadice. The United boss has seen the wide man get better and better. He thinks the ex-Perth Glory player can take his game on to the next level if he can add more of an end product.
Goodwin insisted: "No, I'm not trying to push him one way or the other. I just think the conversation that we had with Daniel in the summer was all geared around coming to Dundee United, playing the Scottish Premiership, raise your profile."
"We're very fortunate to have him. He's only like 20 years old now and very physically ready in terms of when you look at some of the younger players within our squad. He's miles ahead of those. He had great experience last year, playing a number of games in the Championship in England, which I think we all know how difficult a league that can be."
"But he's very robust and I think he's shown already at times what he's capable of doing here at United. We just need to get a bit more consistency and a bit more end product in the final third."
