SCOTTISH STAR LOOKS TO BAFANA

South African at Heart? – Callum Paterson is eligible to play for Bafana Bafana ONE of the brightest young talents in Scottish football holds a special connection to South Africa … and he has not ruled out playing for Bafana Bafana if things don’t work out in his current home. Heart of Midlothian rightback Callum Paterson has been taking the country’s Premier League by storm this season and at the age of his 21 is already captaining his club. Paterson converted from striker to defender two seasons ago, but remains a prolific goalscorer and has already netted seven goals this campaign in all competitions. He is a key player for his side and is being watched by a number of clubs in the English Premier League, having been tipped to make the move south ahead of next season. Paterson has already been called into Scotland’s senior national team squad, but has yet to make his debut, which means he is still eligible for Bafana. He admits that he wants to try and win his place in the Scotland side first, but has not ruled out playing for South Africa if things don’t work out there. “In terms of international football, I actually have four choices,” he told Scotland’s Daily Record. “My dad is Scottish, my mum is from Zimbabwe and my granddad is South African. I was born in London [England] but I moved up when I was three so I see myself as Scottish. “I could play for all of those countries, but Scotland is my home and the one I would rather play for.” Paterson is the cousin of Forfar Athletic defender Michael Travis, who was born in Pietermaritzburg. He made his debut for Hearts as a 17-year-old in 2012 and became an instant regular in the side, just months later playing against Liverpool in a European tie. During his first two seasons as a striker he netted 15 times, before being converted to a wing-back ahead of the 2014/15 campaign. That switch has not stopped