Euro 2024: England Stars Consider Scotland Switch as Gareth Southgate Finalizes Early Squad
With Euro 2024 just six months away, England manager Gareth Southgate has already begun shaping his preliminary squad — and it’s prompting some big decisions from Premier League players about their international futures.
According to reports, Anthony Gordon, Harvey Barnes, and Tino Livramento are all considering switching allegiance to Scotland, with fears that they may not make Southgate’s final selection for next summer’s tournament in Germany.
Southgate is expected to announce his final 23-man England squad in March, ahead of friendlies against Brazil and Belgium. However, all three players — along with Newcastle midfielder Elliott Anderson — are eligible to play for Scotland and are being closely monitored by Steve Clarke’s coaching team.
Scotland Monitoring Four Newcastle Players
John Carver, assistant manager to Steve Clarke and a former Newcastle caretaker boss, confirmed in an interview that four players from Newcastle United are on Scotland’s radar.
“There are four in Newcastle,” Carver revealed.
“But the most important thing is that players truly want to be part of our journey. They should focus on developing with their club before making any big international decision.”
Carver emphasized that while the final decision rests with the players, both he and Clarke believe commitment and passion for the badge are essential.
England Competition Making Selection Difficult
For Anthony Gordon, who played a starring role in England’s Under-21 European Championship triumph, a senior call-up remains possible. But with Southgate’s squad looking settled, breaking into the group ahead of Euro 2024 will be difficult — especially with strong competition in attacking positions.
Harvey Barnes, who has one England cap, has struggled with injuries this season, limiting his chances of impressing Southgate. Meanwhile, Livramento, once part of Chelsea and Southampton’s youth setups, has earned more playing time at Newcastle but faces stiff competition in England’s full-back ranks.
Elliott Anderson Still Undecided
Elliott Anderson, 21, previously represented Scotland at youth level but withdrew from a senior squad in September amid uncertainty about his international future. Carver urged patience, encouraging the midfielder to recover from injuries and focus on his performances at club level before making a decision.
“The door is always open,” Carver added. “Steve Clarke is very open-minded about players who can improve the team. Elliott just needs time to grow and decide what’s best for him.”
What’s Next?
The coming months could prove decisive for all four players. If Southgate maintains his current squad structure, Scotland may gain a valuable boost ahead of Euro 2024 with several England-qualified talents exploring a switch north of the border.
Whatever their choices, one thing is clear — the battle for dual-national talent is intensifying as both nations prepare for one of Europe’s biggest football tournaments.