Tottenham wonderkid and £16m Everton star on Scotland radar as Sebastien Pocognoli confirms approach

The Belgian head coach is determined to identify talented players with Scottish connections who could potentially represent the national team, and has confirmed that both Premier League prospects feature on his recruitment radar.

Gray and Hackney have represented England at youth level but are eligible to play for Scotland, although neither has committed to switching their international allegiance. Pocognoli admits he has already established contact with the pair but insists any decision will ultimately have to come from the players themselves.

His predecessor, Steve Clarke, previously attempted to persuade the likes of Elliot Anderson and Harvey Barnes to represent Scotland, without success. However, the country has enjoyed greater luck in other cases, with Scott McTominay and Che Adams going on to become influential figures after opting to play for the Tartan Army.

Pocognoli is currently satisfied with the depth available to him as Scotland prepare for their final Nations League fixtures against North Macedonia and Switzerland. Nevertheless, he believes expanding the pool of eligible talent must remain an ongoing priority.

Speaking about his efforts to identify potential recruits, Pocognoli said: “I am busy with everything. We know which players are eligible to represent the country one day. It’s 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.”

Gray and Hackney have different international backgrounds, with Pocognoli acknowledging that any potential switch would require patience.

Gray, the son of former Scotland striker Andy Gray, also has family links to Scottish football through Leeds United legends Frank and Eddie Gray, both of whom represented the national side. The Tottenham midfielder has featured for England at every youth level but has yet to make his senior debut.

Hackney, meanwhile, previously represented Scotland at Under-21 level before switching his international allegiance to England.

Pocognoli steps up international recruitment drive

Pocognoli believes the age of the two players makes them particularly interesting prospects but insists there is no immediate pressure for either to make a decision.

“With Barnes it was different. I knew before my first camp that he was different,” he said. “The two other lads [Gray and Hackney] are young lads. It’s a long way [away]. But if you wait too long, it might not be the right moment. In a year’s time, we will see. Right now, we have players in the squad who are performing well.

“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.”

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