Barnes rules out Scotland switch, confirms Clarke

Newcastle United winger Harvey Barnes will not be switching allegiance to Scotland before the World Cup, head coach Steve Clarke has confirmed.

The 28-year-old, who has one England cap from a friendly against Wales in October 2020, is eligible for Scotland through his maternal grandparents.

However, Clarke revealed Barnes has turned down the opportunity to play for a place in his squad.

"It's the perennial question, everybody keeps asking me about it," Clarke told BBC Radio 5 Live.

"This time I can say for sure, Harvey's going to concentrate on trying to play for England, he's not going to come to Scotland."

Clarke added: "You can put that one out there. Nobody needs to ask me or Harvey about it any more.

"Am I disappointed? No, listen, Harvey can make up his own mind. We move on."

Barnes has scored 12 goals for Newcastle this season, having moved to St James' Park from Leicester City in the summer of 2023.

Tyrone Smith, BBC Sport Scotland

There are luxury watches I would like, but can't have. And I am still able to tell the time and manage very well without them.

Scotland have done a good job without Harvey Barnes and there's an old saying about not missing what you've never had.

Would his inclusion in the national squad enhance our chances at the forthcoming World Cup? Of course. Barnes is a fantastic player, who has proved it at the highest level. He has five Champions League goals this season.

It would also significantly bolster an area in which Scotland are lacking. With Ben Gannon-Doak sidelined through long-term injury, Clarke is left without real pace in attack and a dangerous out-ball.

Barnes is a talent we could do with, but can also live without.

Rather than ponder on what might have been, the focus should be on getting the best out of those players who have got Scotland to the big show in North America.