'He’ll probably do it': Scotland icon reveals duo's international decision amid Steve Clarke approach
The Leeds legend has discussed his great-nephews’ international aims
Scotland icon Eddie Gray has shared his disappointment at his great-nephews’ decision to end a ‘family tradition’ of playing for the national team after admitting they have opted to represent England internationally.
The 78-year-old former Scotland hero has confirmed that Tottenham Hotspur star Archie Gray, and his younger brother Harry of Leeds United are destined to play for the Three Lions at international level despite their family’s deep Scottish heritage.
One of the most decorated families in Scottish football, Eddie earned 12 Scotland caps during his playing career, while younger brother Frank was capped 32 times and won the European Cup with Nottingham Forest in 1980. His nephew, Andrew, was capped twice by the national team, while his late son Stuart was a Scotland under-21 international.
Already an England under-21 international, 19-year-old Archie has made it clear in previous interviews that he intends to remain eligible for Thomas Tuchel’s side; however, Eddie’s latest comments have now revealed where both brothers stand on their international future.
“Archie, if he’s good enough and he progresses in his career, I think he’ll probably stick to England,” he told Footy Accumulators No Tippy Tappy Football podcast. "I don’t like it, but I think he’ll probably do it. He has represented England at all ages as a schoolboy. Scotland made enquiries about what he wants to do, but he was born in England, he’s English.”
His brother Harry is currently flourishing on loan at Rotherham United in the EFL League One, where he has scored twice in his first five appearances for the Millers. Included in the England squad for last year’s European Under-17 Championship, his great-uncle has confirmed the 17-year-old is likely to follow a similar route to his brother despite originally wanting to pull on the navy jersey of Scotland.
“He’s very outspoken,” he said. “When he was younger he used to say ‘I’m going to play for Scotland’ but I think if he’s good enough he’ll play for England as well. Their grandad, and my brother played for Scotland. Andrew, their dad, played for Scotland as well. It’s a big tradition in the family.
“If they’re growing up in England, playing for English clubs, I think it just follows that they'll end up playing for England. Archie’s played for the underage sides for England, if Harry progresses how it looks as if he’ll progress, he’ll end up playing for the English sides as well. We’ll wait and see.”
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