I’ve hit the net for Three Lions, but I’d be pleased to roar for Scotland
SAYS STEVEN CAULKER
Dundee defender Steven Caulker has revealed he would jump at the chance of representing Scotland if Alex McLeish comes calling.
The former Liverpool and Tottenham defender is relishing the chance to get his career back on track at dens Park after signing for neil McCann’s side last month.
The 26-year-old centre-back, who has a Scottish grandmother, scored in his only appearance for england in a friendly against Sweden in november 2012 so could yet switch his allegiances.
And now the englishman, who is set to face St Johnstone today, insists he would welcome the chance to relaunch his international career in dark blue.
Caulker said: ‘I spoke to Craig Levein when he was Scotland coach a few years ago when I was about 18 or 19.
‘Obviously I wanted to try england at the time and I was in and around the squad, so it wasn’t right for me then.
‘Of course, I would never discount it though. Playing at any international level is an honour so if it became available in the future it is something I would definitely consider.
‘I am living with my auntie and uncle in Kinross. They are a great help to me as I can’t drive at the moment.
‘It was the whole package really about coming here — neil McCann, getting game time and having my family around me as a support network.
‘Kinross is good if a bit different from London! It is as nice as it is peaceful and just away from everything.’
Caulker, who has admitted he has suffered from mental health issues, is enjoying feeling wanted again with dundee and the defender insists happiness is far more important than money for him at this stage in his career.
He said: ‘neil McCann is a man I feel I can trust and it just fitted perfectly. I had other offers, mainly from abroad, and obviously financially you can get the gain from moving there.
‘But I just wanted to get my love back for football. That was the most important thing.
‘Financially, it is nowhere near what it was abroad but it wasn’t about the money for me — it was about getting games.’
Caulker confirmed Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers showed interest in him a few months ago when he was still at Queens Park Rangers but the player felt remaining in London at that point was best for him. He said: ‘The Celtic interest was in the summer and there was a potential offer there.
‘I spoke to Brendan after he reached out to me to see how I was, etc. I have known him for a long time and was with him at Swansea. He is a really good guy.
‘But after speaking with Ian Holloway back home, I decided it would be best for my recovery to stay in London at that time and get my head down there.
‘I stayed there, did the six months but it didn’t work out as planned. However, this time I said yes to Scotland.’
new national boss McLeish, meanwhile, insists he saw a ‘passion’ for Scotland in Scott McTominay’s eyes when they met to decide the international future of the Manchester united midfielder.
McLeish persuaded the Lancaster-born 21-year-old, whose father is from Helensburgh, to commit to Scotland ahead of england and confirmed he will pick McTominay for the upcoming friendlies against Costa Rica and Hungary later this month.
McLeish said: ‘He will be in the squad. I don’t think that’s the world’s best-kept secret at this particular moment.
‘Scott was very receptive. I looked him in the eye and he gave me passion about playing for Scotland. I saw the passion and I really felt that we had nailed it that day.
‘Of course he has to play a competitive game but if we can get him playing in the friendlies, he can see what it’s all about.
‘We can hopefully have some good performances. Obviously winning is the big thing and then Scott can be a part of it.
‘He’s had some great games with Jose Mourinho at Manchester united.
‘He’s only 21, he’s not got all the answers — I’m 59, at my last count, and I’ve not got all the answers but hopefully he’ll get more right than wrong.’