Over the weekend, the Daily Record reported that the Republic of Ireland had made contact with Josh McPake.
The young Rangers attacker is Scotland born and bred, but the FAI are attempting to involve him in their set up, for which he qualifies through his Irish grandmother.
With both nations preparing for U21 qualifiers in September, the suggestion was that the ROI would attempt to call-up McPake at that level.
However, just a few days on, and the SFA have made their move.
Scot Gemmill had already named his U21 squad for upcoming competitive fixtures against San Marino and Croatia. While McPake was nowhere to be seen there, five other young Gers were called up.
Yet, Scotland have still managed to show their keenness to involve McPake amid the speculation.
Billy Stark has named him in his U19 squad for a pair of friendlies against Japan.
The fixtures will take place during the international break (5th + 9th Sept), but should McPake travel, he is likely to miss some club action. The 17-year-old has just joined Dundee on loan and their Challenge Cup Third Round tie against Elgin is currently scheduled for 7 September.
Scotland U19s hand Rangers trio call-ups
Encouragingly, McPake isn’t the only young Ger included in the 18-strong squad, either.
17-year-old defender Nathan Patterson has also been given the nod, as has Dapo Mebude, who only recently turned 18.
Patterson has yet to feature for the Gers first team, but Mebude made his senior debut away at Kilmarnock on the final day of last season.
