The Scotland national team has seen something of a resurgence in recent years despite the peaks and troughs nature of Steve Clarke’s tenure.
Like Philippe Clement in his tenure as Rangers manager, Clarke probably wishes that problems in his squad could be solved by signing new players.
Investigating lineage is one thing, but if the Welsh FA get their way, Rangers captain James Tavernier could get another phone call from the Scotland boss.
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Wales look to open door that could see James Tavernier get Scotland call
Speaking to Rangers fans on streaming platform Twitch in 2020, the Light Blues skipper claimed that one such invitation had already been offered as Clarke desperately looked for a right back.
In a complex set of regulations, the home nations of Scotland, England, Northern Ireland and Wales, have agreed – with a FIFA bylaw – that players won’t be called up based on residency, despite other nations being able to select players on this basis.
Craig Levein was in charge when an amendment was made to include Under-18s who had been in education for five years or more with Andrew Driver the beneficiary at the time.
The case in question now features former Swansea City player of 10 years Matt Grimes who Craig Bellamy is pushing for the rules to be changed to accommodate, according to BBC Sport.
Why Scotland should block Wales’ bid that would only make things worse
It is a double edged sword with Bellamy not really looking at the bigger picture.
Players like Ryan Giggs and Gareth Bale might both have been lost to Wales had the regulations been permitted when they were at their pomp.
Clarke could well gain a James Tavernier, but, like Wales, he could also lose quality of the standard of Billy Gilmour or Ben Doak, should young Scots be tempted to switch allegiances.
Rangers lost Rory Wilson to Aston Villa and, if he stays in England, could be poached too.
The conveyor belt of talent across the border won’t be stopped any time soon given the disparity of finances and the Welsh FA, as well as the Scottish should consider caution despite the obvious short term benefits of bending the rules back again.
