Many of want Barnes to wear Scotland colours but England might have something to say
Harvey Barnes is a streaky striker – or winger, if you must. Four goals in three games in November put his name firmly back on the agenda with regards a Scotland call-up.
Another four goals in his two most recent matches for Newcastle United, doubles against Leeds United and then Bournemouth in the FA Cup, means the issue is back bubbling again. Steve Clarke probably reacted to that last-gasp winner v Leeds last Wednesday with the weariest of weary sighs: “Get that ticket to Newcastle booked,” he may have texted the SFA’s travel person.
The truth is, he’s likely already made contact with Barnes, or at least with his agent, for the latest update on how he’s feeling. It’s not just as simple as calling him up for the national team, of course. Scotland must initiate the process of Barnes switching eligibility from England to Scotland and the million-dollar question, the one the player has so far failed to answer very convincingly, is does he even want to?
Harvey Barnes won his only England cap in 2020 against Wales.placeholder image
Harvey Barnes won his only England cap in 2020 against Wales. | POOL/AFP via Getty Images
He clearly didn’t exhibit enough willingness when there was a casual chat about things prior to the last but one Euros. Clarke has already been burnt by the Elliot Anderson situation. It’s likely Barnes’ jokey response to pundits pressing him for information – not very effectively, it has to be said - about where he stands on Scotland late last year, when he enjoyed a scoring burst v Brentford, Manchester City and Marseille, won’t have extinguished any doubts the manager might have about his commitment to the Scotland cause. "It's not something I have put much thought into," the player said. Hmmmm.
At surface level at least, this isn’t a Che Adams-like situation. The Torino striker could not have been more enthusiastic despite having represented England at under age levels.
In fairness to Barnes, Adams, then at Southampton, was a long way off the full England set-up. He jumped at Clarke’s offer of a chance to play at European Championship finals in 2021 and no one can have any regrets about that. He’s been a star for Scotland and is Clarke’s best striker.
Barnes scoring goals and earning headlines is a double-edged sword. Yes, it underlines what he can do. “Get him on the plane!” is an understandable reaction from Tartan Army members each time he does something of note like scoring a winner in the 102nd minute v Leeds, classified as the latest ever goal scored in the Premier League era (I know, I know…).
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But it also alerts England. Although he may seem a very long way from being part of Thomas Tuchel’s plans for the World Cup, it’s not beyond the realms of possibility. He’s one of the in-form players in the English top-flight. He’s already won a cap with them, albeit more than five years ago against Wales under Gareth Southgate. It would seem a dereliction of duty on Tuchel’s part if he wasn’t at least being monitored. Losing him to Scotland and seeing him excel next summer in North America seems an unnecessary risk.
Perhaps the German will bump into Clarke at St James’ Park on Tuesday, when Newcastle play Manchester City in the League Cup last four. Seems as good a game as any to run the rule over the man of the moment.