Harvey Barnes receives 3 point Scotland pitch from Ally McCoist as 'extremely difficult' England scenario sparks hype

Ally McCoist has told Harvey Barnes he MUST switch his international allegiance to Scotland from England.

The Newcastle United winger is eligible to pull on the dark blue via his grandparents and is weighing up joining Steve Clarke's side with the Scots surging towards Euro 2024 qualification with five Group A wins out of five. And McCoist has told Barnes – who made his only full international England cap back in 2020 with a late cameo against Wales – that is the only sensible call given the talent at Gareth Southgate's disposal.

Speaking to talkSPORT, McCoist said: "I may be biased, but he has got to switch. He has got to – he is going to get a game. I look at Harvey Barnes and I can see him playing for Scotland. He is the type of player that the Scottish fans love and the Scottish team need, and with the greatest respect I look at the England team and he is no going to play – they have got Saka, Foden and Grealish.

"It is going to be extremely difficult for him to play. I am being a bit light-hearted about it and I don't think it's a no-brainer, but it looks like Scotland now have a squad capable of qualifying for championships."

And Barnes wasn't the only one who was being dished out advice -– with Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag told that Scott McTominay should be getting a chance at Old Trafford. The midfielder has become a Tartan Army hero with his goal exploits – with his latest strike against Cyprus keeping him as the the top scorer in the qualifying groups.

On McTominay he said: "Is he not due a wee run? He was top class again. He is the top scorer in the tournament at this moment in time.

"It is amazing, for a couple of games Steve (Clarke) was playing him on the right of a back three which is fine when