Carroll scored 19 goals for Newcastle last season

Scotland manager Craig Levein has not given up hope of convincing Newcastle United striker Andy Carroll of switching allegiance from England.

Carroll, who has played for England Under-21s, is eligible to represent Scotland through his grandmother.

"I'm tenacious when it comes to these things. We will wait and see what happens," said Scotland boss Levein.

"If the door does close on him for the first-team level at England, then we will certainly pursue it."

Carroll has admitted that former Scottish international Colin Calderwood, a coach at the Magpies, has been encouraging him to consider swapping the white of England for the dark blue of Scotland.

But the 21-year-old 6ft 4in striker has not given up on representing the country of his birth.

Levein added: "I can understand the lad's position. He has been involved in the England set-up and it's quite right that he wants to see out his time in the Under-21s. I can understand that.

"But I think it's about playing international matches and gaining caps."

Meanwhile, Levein has admitted that he would love to see as many Scottish players as possible featuring in the top flight in England.

Charlie, in the games I've seen him playing in since I took the Scotland job, has been Blackpool's best player Levein on Blackpool midfielder Charlie Adam

"The more Scotland players who are testing themselves every week at the highest level, then the better it's going to be," he said.

"It's purely selfish. I'm not a club manager now. I'd love to see all our guys playing at the top level in the Premier League but I don't think that's going to happen."

Rangers' top scorer Kris Boyd is out of contract this summer and has been linked with moves to England's top league, while former Ibrox striker Shota Arveladze wants to take him to Turkish side Kayserispor.

But Levein insists that Boyd alone can decide whether he should remain at Rangers on a new deal, or leave the Scottish Premier League.

"I'm not telling Kris Boyd what to do or what not to do," said the Scotland manager.

"He's had another good season and it's up to him to decide where he plays. If he's still at Rangers next year, he's playing at a fantastically high level.

"If he goes down to the Premier League, then, arguably, he's moving up a level. If he goes abroad, in recent history, some Scottish lads who have gone abroad have improved by doing so.

"It's not my place to say who should go where or who should stay."

As Levein continues preparations for the forthcoming Euro 2012 qualifiers, Charlie Adam looks set to add to his four caps after playing a starring role in Blackpool's dramatic rise to the Premier League.

"Charlie, in the games I've seen him playing in since I took the Scotland job, has been Blackpool's best player," said Levein.

Levein shows off the new Scotland strip

"I think that's widely recognised by the players and the management at the club.

"He has progressed enormously over the last year or so and he is now going to be playing on the biggest stage of all."

As for Adam's club-mate Stephen Crainey, Levein added: "I'll see how he gets on.

"I watched a couple of games and he did OK.

"I'm not going to say he impressed me as much as Charlie Adam did, because he didn't. But he's a guy who I've known from way back at his time at Celtic and we will see."

Levein has yet to hold talks with Barry Ferguson about a potential return for Scotland.

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