Scotland eye call-up for England cap Caulker
FORMER England central defender Steven Caulker is so keen to change his allegiance to Scotland that he phoned up assistant manager Steven Reid to personally plead his case for a call-up, it was revealed yesterday.
The 27- year- old former Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool defender – who also spent a season at Dundee – scored on his only appearance for the Three
Lions, a friendly against Sweden under the reign of Roy Hodgson.
However, as he has never appeared in a competitive game, he can still ply his international trade for Scotland, for whom he qualifies by virtue of his grandmother Jessie, who hails from Dollar in Clackmannanshire.
Scotland’s issues at central defence well known, with the likes of Scott McKenna, Liam Cooper, Grant Hanley, John Souttar and Craig Halkett all unavailable for the doubleheader with Russia and San Marino.
But Reid confirmed last night that he or another member of Steve Clarke’s coaching team would make the journey to Turkey to check on the progress of a player who now plies his trade with Alanyaspor, the surprise early-season leaders of the Turkish Super Lig.
Caulker, who has spoken in the past of his issues with mental health, alcoholism and gambling, recently survived a bus crash that claimed the life of his team-mate Josef Sural.
“Steven has made it clear he’d like to be considered,” said Reid (above). “Obviously, we’ll monitor the situation now, watch the games, hopefully get out and see him. The key point, though, is that he’s gone out of his way to make that clear. He phoned me directly. So there’s an interest there. He’s had a promising start over there, that’s for sure.
“I know him and played against him a few times at club level. He obviously played for some big sides in England and got some big moves. I think it’s well documented he’s had his difficulties. But I think he’s found a place now, out of the media spotlight there, and it looks like he’s really enjoying his family time and his football. “It’s good to see and at some stage we’ll definitely be making the trip and seeing how he gets on.
“Steven definitely could be an asset. So we definitely can’t discount it. We’ll definitely be monitoring him closely as we move forward.”
With Australian-born Livingston striker Lyndon Dykes and Hibs goalkeeper Chris Maxwell also under consideration, Reid confirmed Scotland under Clarke are prepared to cast the net wide for talent in a squad that has a few genuine problem areas. He was impressed by Dykes as Livi shocked Premiership champions 2-0 on Sunday.
“Obviously I was at the game. I went with the manager. And he [Dykes] was impressive. There’s no two ways about that. He caused Celtic big problems on the day.
“If he continues to perform like that week in, week out, he’s obviously someone we need to keep an eye on and monitor. I didn’t know too many of the details about his eligibility, to be honest. But I know his parents are Scottish and that he’s got the opportunity to pick Australia, as well. We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it, when there’s a decision to be made.”