Bournemouth midfielder Alex Scott has revealed the advice his step-sister, Maya Le Tissier, offered after he earned his maiden England call-up.
Scott was named in Thomas Tuchel’s final England squad of the year as they close their World Cup qualifying campaign against Serbia and Albania, where he could earn his first cap. However, the 22-year-old – who won the Under-21 European Championship with England this summer – would not be the first senior England international in his family if he makes his debut.
His step-sister, Maya Le Tissier, became the first person from Guernsey to be named in a senior England squad for a major tournament as the Lionesses secured back-to-back European Championships earlier this year. Scott would join his step-sister – capped ten times for the Lionesses – in an exclusive club, becoming just the fourth player from the Channel Islands to represent England after Graham Le Saux and Matt Le Tissier.
Speaking for the first time since his call-up, the midfielder reminisced over his formative years, travelling to the mainland every weekend with Maya as they both tried to carve a career in football.
“Growing up, Maya and I would fly over every weekend together with one of our parents,” Scott said. “She'd have her games for Hampshire, and I'd be playing for Southampton as a kid. It took a lot, especially for our parents, the amount of money they were paying and the dedication they put in, for us to dream of being footballers.
“It's a credit to them. We're happy we're both playing at the top level. She's flying for Man United and for the Lionesses, so I couldn't be prouder of her.
“We’ve grown up together playing football in the same teams back home, local football. We’re very close. We speak most days. I'm so proud of where she's been, where she's come from and now where she is.”
Tottenham Fan Alex Scott Is Living The Dream
Alex Scott
It had not been an easy journey for Scott. The Channel Islander, who failed PE at school, was released by Southampton before joining community side Guernsey FC at 16, where he was thrown straight into men’s football. At that stage, Scott was unsure whether a football career was attainable. But his determination paid off. He earned a trial at Bristol City, scored a hat-trick, and the rest, as they say, is history.
A boyhood Tottenham Hotspur fan, Scott arrived at Hotspur Way on Tuesday, where England are based for the November internationals, for his inaugural camp. Before linking up with the squad, Scott sought counsel from his step-sister, Maya, on how to settle into the senior camp.
“Back in the day, when I was back playing local football, she would never have thought that I would have gone on to be a professional – neither would I. She’s so pleased for me. She texted me straight away, as soon as she heard the news. “It’s nice to have someone around who has experienced it, been around the England set-up. She can help me out with advice on playing at the top level and in high-pressure situations.
“She wants me to just enjoy it, be myself, show what I can do and do what I’ve been doing for all these years. She’s seen me grow a lot as a person and as a football player.
“There haven't been many from the Channel Islands. When we get an opportunity, because they're tough to come by back home – it's hard to get to the mainland and be able to play – we take them.
“Back home on the island, everyone's so close there. You know almost everyone. You've grown up around everyone. It’s nice for people back there to see a fellow Islander go on and be successful. It gives them the motivation and the courage to go on and do the same.”
Scott's Case Of Mistaken Identity
Alex ScottCredit: Mike Marsland / Getty Images
Scott’s links to the national team do not end with his older sister. He also shares his name with Lioness legend and former Arsenal right-back Alex Scott. The 41-year-old is set to appear on the hit ITV show I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! on Sunday, with social media users jokingly congratulating Bournemouth’s Scott for receiving his first England call-up and heading into the jungle in the same week.
The England rookie saw the funny side: “I saw the other day that people said I've done well getting called up and going on I’m a Celebrity at the same time,” he laughed. “That's the only one I've seen. Alex Scott, the women’s footballer, has done amazing things for the country and in an England shirt.
“It's amazing to share a name. I'm not sure if there have been many that have the same name and have both played for the country.”