Moment of reckoning is moving nearer for Newcastle United winger Harvey Barnes
Imagine being Harvey Barnes right now. A Carabao Cup semi-final second leg at Manchester City to prepare for, a tie in which his side, Newcastle United, are already trailing 2-0.
That’s just the next game. Newcastle’s schedule is remorseless. After Brentford this weekend there’s a trip to Spurs next midweek. Then Villa in the FA Cup and a Champions League play-off first leg against Qarabag FK in Azerbaijan and Everton, Manchester United and Chelsea after that. And then? Well, it’s only a local derby against Sunderland at St James’ Park when there could be some ribbing from those away fans perched up in the gods. “Who’s the Jocko on the wing?” might be one of the kinder greetings. “Not good enough for England!” could be another.
Because by then we will know. The next Tyne-Wear derby is scheduled for midday on Sunday 22 March. Scotland manager Steve Clarke plans to name his squad for the friendlies against Japan and Ivory Coast on the preceding Monday – 16 March. No Harvey, no party? Barnes’ absence will be disappointing for some but at least it would draw a line under this almost perennial debate. If a World Cup can’t convince him to switch eligibility from England to Scotland, then we can accept the matter is closed. If he’s involved, it would mean he’s managed to find time amid this hectic itinerary to sit down with Clarke and convince the manager he’s all in.
“It’s a no brainer,” said Ally McCoist, speaking on his TalkSPORT radio show on Monday. “He would be guaranteed to be in the squad.”
The Scotland legend was reacting to a fresh report from the north-east of England claiming Clarke has made another attempt to “persuade” the player. No one is questioning whether Barnes is good enough for Scotland. Of course he is. It’s about whether he’s committed enough. Now 28, time is running out if he wants to play at a World Cup.
The matter was guaranteed to come to boil in the next few weeks given an international break, the last one before this summer’s tournament in North America, is imminent. It's now or never. Che Adams was recruited in similar circumstances at this point before Euro 2020 and that was considered cutting it fine.
Clarke, however, isn’t the type to resort to persuasion. Either Barnes wants to throw in his lot with Scotland or he doesn’t. The manager didn’t sound as if he reckoned the player had reached this point of blinding realisation when he addressed the topic at a media briefing in a hotel in Ayrshire in December. “We will wait and see how it pans out,” he said, when pressed.
Barnes has since scored five more goals to make it 12 in total for the season to date. He has been one of the players of the season so far in England. Five Champions League goals are not to be sniffed at. He might reasonably be harbouring thoughts of forcing his way back into the Three Lions’ international set-up. That's likely to remain his preference. Less paperwork, for one thing. He’s already played once for them, in a friendly against Wales in 2021.
And this might be one concern for Clarke. It’s coming to the crunch for Barnes in terms of Scotland, yes. But is Barnes also conscious Thomas Tuchel could be considering including him for England’s upcoming friendlies against Uruguay and Japan?
At least things will become less foggy on the Tyne with regards Barnes’ international intentions sooner rather than later.