Driver delays international decision

Andrew Driver hopes to make a decision on his international future in the next few weeks after revealing he would not be in the Scotland squad.

Driver: Has options
Driver: Has options

Driver announced on Tuesday he had yet to choose whether to declare himself available to represent his adopted country or remain loyal to his native England.

The 21-year-old, who was born in Oldham but moved to North Berwick 10 years ago, claimed he was focusing all his energy on regaining his form for Hearts, which has dipped in recent weeks.

But once that is achieved, he plans to decide once and for all where his allegiance lies.

He said: "You don't want to drag it on. If you drag it on, it makes it look as if I'm stalling, which shows disrespect to both nations.

"I feel it would have been a lot easier if I hadn't my form to concentrate on.

"Next few weeks, I'll be concentrating on that and then hopefully the decision will be made."

Driver has unwittingly become the poster boy for a recent rule change that allows British passport holders to represent any of the home nations, provided they have been educated in that country for five years.

His situation has been further complicated by the fact that, before FIFA ratified this change, he made his debut for England Under-21s during the summer.

For that reason, Scotland boss George Burley says he will only consider Driver for selection if the player publicly switches allegiance.

Asked if he felt Scottish after a decade in the country, Driver replied: "I've been here since I was 10 years old. All my friends are Scottish, my girlfriend's Scottish, I was educated here, I've worked all my life here.

"I've been here more than half my life so it's a major part of my life."

Driver insisted he could understand Burley's position, the Scotland boss obviously fearing an embarrassing snub if he calls up the winger.

But he added: "It does make it a bit more difficult for me because it's a massive decision for me to make.

"I don't think anyone would want to be in the same position."

The player revealed "legal" issues would also prevent Burley simply calling him up out of the blue, with Driver likely to have to fill out paperwork before becoming eligible for his adopted country.

But he insisted if he did decide to choose Scotland, he would have no regrets about turning his back on England.

"I wouldn't have any feelings about turning my back," he said.

"Obviously, it was a great honour for me to play for England and it's something in the future I'd want to do.

"But if I turn my back on them then that is it; that's out the window; I wouldn't even consider that; I'd be 100% behind my decision."

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