Scotland manager Steve Clarke has revealed he will seek clarity on Harvey Barnes's willingness to commit to the national team before selecting the Newcastle United winger for upcoming friendlies in March. Barnes, who has one senior cap for England, is eligible to switch his international allegiance to Scotland.
Barnes's International Future in the Spotlight
The 28-year-old forward's solitary appearance for the Three Lions came as a substitute in a friendly against Wales back in October 2020. His international future has become a topic of renewed discussion following Scotland's qualification for the 2026 World Cup, ending a 28-year absence from the tournament.
While the feeling within the Scottish Football Association has been that Barnes still harbours hopes of an England recall, the player himself left the door open for a switch during an interview last month. Clarke, however, is adamant that any new recruit must be fully dedicated to the cause.
"They have to be committed, they have to want to play for Scotland," Clarke stated. He acknowledged the expanded 26-man squad for the World Cup offers opportunities but emphasised spaces are limited. "It is 26 again so there are some spaces there, but not too many."
No Fear of Disruption, Says Clarke
The Scotland boss dismissed concerns that introducing a player like Barnes so close to a major tournament could upset the squad's harmony. He pointed to the inherently competitive nature of professional footballers.
"Football players are quite selfish," Clarke remarked. "They like to think that if someone is going to help them be better and the team to be better … like I said, as long as they come and they are committed then I am pretty sure anyone who comes into this group of players will enjoy it."
Clarke Open to Extending Scotland Tenure Beyond World Cup
In a significant development regarding his own future, Steve Clarke has raised the possibility of remaining as Scotland manager after the 2026 World Cup. The 62-year-old's current contract is set to expire when Scotland's tournament journey ends, and it was widely assumed he would step down at that point.
However, Clarke is now open to discussing an extension. He plans to hold talks with the SFA in the early part of next year, following crucial World Cup preparation work.
"It would need to be right for me and I would need to find out whether it’s right for them," he explained. Clarke intends to finalise training camps and the World Cup programme first, aiming for discussions before the March internationals.
He highlighted a long-term vision, stating, "I’ve got a few questions for them in terms of how we move forward and how we make sure it’s not over 20 years before we qualify for another World Cup." Expressing faith in the current squad's longevity, he added, "This group of players can definitely do 2028. Not all of them, but most of them."
