Trippier admits talks with Scotland star Southgate wanted for England
Kieran Trippier has admitted he has spoken to his Newcastle team-mate Elliot Anderson about the controversy that has given the build-up to the game at Hampden Park an extra edge.
Anderson, having played seven age-group games for Scotland, had been called up by national boss Steve Clarke for this current international window, but withdrew from the squad with injury.
His withdrawal sparked speculation that the 20-year-old Newcastle midfielder might have a change of heart and pledge his allegiance to England as Gareth Southgate admitted he is a player “they really like.” And Trippier has had discussions with Anderson about his club team-mate’s international future ahead of Scotland vs England on Tuesday night.
Trippier said: “Elliott mentioned – well, I think it came out in the media first – that he is representing Scotland and at first, I said congrats. But I was having chats. He’s a quality player, he’s got a great future ahead of him, of course.
“He’s been top quality for Newcastle. I wasn’t putting any pressure on him or anything – ultimately, it is his decision what he wants to do internationally and, of course, his family, who support him. At the moment, he chose Scotland and then he wasn’t here… and everything has happened.”
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After representing Scotland at under-16, under-17 and under-18 level, Anderson did make one appearance for England under-19s until returning to play for Scotland under-21s.
And Southgate is clearly keen on Anderson, who qualifies for Scotland through a grandparent. The England manager said: “Elliot is a player that has progressed really well. We’ve previously spoken with him but of course he was named in the Scotland squad so I assumed that was that.
Elliot Anderson pulled out of the Scotland squad through injury (Richard Sellers/Getty Images)“I thought he had an excellent pre-season, you could see that evolution he has as a young player and that potential he’s got. I know Newcastle rate him very highly.”
Ironically, one of the players who was selected by Southgate when he was England under-21 manager will line up for Scotland at Hampden Park tonight. Angus Gunn will win his sixth cap and has conceded only one goal in his first five matches, winning all five.
Southgate smiled: “He sent us a lovely message when he transferred across. He’d obviously had a lot of time with the England junior team and he’d had a great experience through that. We couldn’t offer him a pathway that’s opened up. We really enjoyed working with him and he sent quite a few people at the English FA some lovely messages.”
Ironically, Anderson’s club team-mate Harvey Barnes is considering a switch to Scotland – he is also eligible through a grandparent – having won his solitary senior England cap three years ago.
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