Steve Clarke won't get Scotland begging bowl out for swithering stars as Harvey Barnes told HE needs to make it happen

Scotland boss Steve Clarke insists he won’t go begging Newcastle duo Harvey Barnes and Elliot Anderson to sign up for his Euro 2024 squad.

New recruit Anderson quit the camp after just two days last week ahead of Friday night’s 3-0 win in Cyprus - sparking speculation the Whitley Bay born youngster might have been ‘nobbled’ by England boss Gareth Southgate at the 11th hour. Subsequently, it emerged winger Barnes would be ‘open’ to defecting north of the border despite already picking up one full cap in a friendly for Southgate’s side. Clarke confirmed for the first time yesterday he has previously held talks with Barnes about a possible switch.

But the manager then flatly ruled out the prospect of picking up the phone to either player after tonight’s showdown with Southgate’s side at Hampden. Asked about Anderson’s situation he said: “Listen, as I said before, there is nothing you can do about it. The lad came, there was a conversation that I had earlier in the year and then it went all quiet.

“I then got a phone call to say he wanted to come. So we brought him up, he picked up knock and went back. And it puts him in the situation where he was before he came to camp.

“He can play for England, he can play for Scotland. We will see how it pans out.”

It was put to the Scotland boss he might not lose any sleep over Anderson’s decision, given the wealth of options he already has in midfield. Clarke - who has successfully lured both Lyndon Dykes and Che Adams into his squad - replied: “Well, if you look at what we’ve got in the squad.

“If we can find people who will improve us and who really, really, really want to be with us then we can improve the squad that way.

“If there are people who have a little doubt and they’re not