Scotland squad

[Jupiter]

This will be our 13th major tournament, maybe it will be 13th time lucky for getting out of the group.

[OrlandoDon]

On 20/11/2025 at 06:32, BigAl said:

If as previously reported Harvey Barnes knocked back the chance then he can go fuck himself.

Turning twenty eight next month he knows his England chances have gone I suspect

Pure co-incidence that this is back in the news now 

I’d take him in a heart beat. Is he really that much different to a number of players who have played for Scotland. Played on all the England youth teams with George Hirst from what I see. One England friendly cap and I dont grudge the guy if he changes his mind and plays for Scotland. Same for Rocco vata but his cap was this year and in a legit game so I don’t think it’s the same situation.
the last two euros we’ve been more on the embarrassing side. I’d like to see us perform better and if there is a player or two we can add to make us more competitive then I say go for it. Long gone are the days of us being a team full of Scot’s, and just because he may have knocked us back in the past doesn’t mean we exclude him, he can change his mind.
I’d explore Barnes, mainly  because he plays a position we have such little talent. I’d hope we take a long long at jack Milne before some part Scottish guy for example, and I think it’s only a matter of time before we see Milne called up, but I don’t think Barnes pushes any young stud out the way.
unlikely but doak and Barnes either side of mctominnay behind a newly unearthed Scottish born stud of a 9 would help our cause.

Edited November 22, 2025 by OrlandoDon

[tlg1903]

I think it was Tom English who said on sportsound today that he's never actually knocked Scotland back.  Does that change anything? I dunno.  He's clearly talented and stoked the fire nicely by scoring both goals to win the game for Newcastle today.  

[Panda]

2 hours ago, tlg1903 said:

I think it was Tom English who said on sportsound today that he's never actually knocked Scotland back.  

Yeah, Tom English has never actually knocked us back.

But Harvey Barnes can watch the World Cup on the telly. He's not Scottish and isn't remotely interested in Scotland. What he's interested in is getting the chance to play at a World Cup.

Would love to sign Harvey Barnes for Aberdeen. But for Scotland, no.

They need to change the eligibility rules. The grandparent rule should only be allowed to be used if you have also lived in Scotland for a certain period of time. 

Otherwise, it should stop at the parents.

[tlg1903]

23 minutes ago, Panda said:

Yeah, Tom English has never actually knocked us back.

But Harvey Barnes can watch the World Cup on the telly. He's not Scottish and isn't remotely interested in Scotland. What he's interested in is getting the chance to play at a World Cup.

Would love to sign Harvey Barnes for Aberdeen. But for Scotland, no.

They need to change the eligibility rules. The grandparent rule should only be allowed to be used if you have also lived in Scotland for a certain period of time. 

Otherwise, it should stop at the parents.

But he is eligible and we are short on wide players.  That's the reality of the situation.  At best I would feel unease at taking a player like that into the squad and I totally get your opposition to it.  That said football fans are fickle and if he was brought in then scored a goal that won us a game in the WC I know I would be fine with it. 

[OrlandoDon]

20 minutes ago, tlg1903 said:

But he is eligible and we are short on wide players.  That's the reality of the situation.  At best I would feel unease at taking a player like that into the squad and I totally get your opposition to it.  That said football fans are fickle and if he was brought in then scored a goal that won us a game in the WC I know I would be fine with it. 

We are clearly short on both wide players and creative  players. Plus will doak be healthy, seems an injury prone player? If we had a Peter weir, davie cooper, or McFadden that would be great, but I don’t think we have even one legit left midfielder/left winger in the squad. I really want things to work for Lewis Morgan and Ryan gauld, but they’ve been injured and not been in recent squads, Barnes is clearly a different level.

we have very little talent and depth, I get the resistance, but I think it’s ridiculous if we don’t at least ask.

[Panda]

1 hour ago, tlg1903 said:

But he is eligible and we are short on wide players.  That's the reality of the situation.  At best I would feel unease at taking a player like that into the squad and I totally get your opposition to it.  That said football fans are fickle and if he was brought in then scored a goal that won us a game in the WC I know I would be fine with it. 

What if over the next seven months we found 11 players who all had Scottish grannies, no interest in Scotland but want to play at a World Cup?

What are we actually supporting then? 

Or what if we couldn't get tickets because all the Welsh and Northern Irish fans with Scottish grannies wanted to support a team at the World Cup so snapped up our allocation?

Nah, not having it. 

[OrlandoDon]

23 minutes ago, Panda said:

What if over the next seven months we found 11 players who all had Scottish grannies, no interest in Scotland but want to play at a World Cup?

What are we actually supporting then? 

Or what if we couldn't get tickets because all the Welsh and Northern Irish fans with Scottish grannies wanted to support a team at the World Cup so snapped up our allocation?

Nah, not having it. 

Im only for it if it’s a position we are clearly lacking, and we’re talking one or two players, big strength of us is squad harmony and unity, don’t need to negatively impact that. We also have to consider we’re an older team and there’s not a lot of talented youth out there, a bit concerning.

I’m a fan of Josh doig, Lennon miller, jack Milne etc, would not be keen to see these guys moved back over some newbie.
Barnes has been on the radar for a while and offers something we do not have. we’re really lacking legit forwards. Liam Delap is eligible. Is he any less Scottish than Che Adams?

[OrlandoDon]

Competing with jack milne but Luis Binks is interesting. 

[Panda]

1 hour ago, OrlandoDon said:

we’re talking one or two players,

 

1 hour ago, OrlandoDon said:

Liam Delap is eligible. Is he any less Scottish than Che Adams?

So you want Barnes, Adams, Delap, Hirst. Luis Binks is also touting himself for a call up. So we're not talking one or two, we're talking potentially five. You could throw Angus Gunn in there too - although he at least has a Scottish dad, let's not forget he initially turned us down for England.

And then there was Elliot Anderson, who thankfully has finally picked England, who said: "I went away with the Scotland team and I left camp after a few days.... I'm really thankful I've done that now.

"I'm definitely English. That's where I see myself. It's just I hadn't really been called up to England throughout the ages when I was younger so I thought I'd take the opportunity to play for Scotland. Then, once I got that belief that I thought I was good enough to play for England, it hit me, and I focused on England."

 

If you try to make international football like club football and let them switch about, then what is the point of international football?

We could have had Elliot Anderson playing for Scotland in a friendly v England, then later playing for England against Scotland.

Edited November 23, 2025 by Panda

[Radiored]

Ah'd cautiously welcome Harvey tae the Scotland Squad ... but would want assurances that his name was inspired by that great Scot Alex of Sensational band fame .... also would want verified photographic proof he has enjoyed eatin' haggis and at least one rowie topped wi' raspberry jam.

As a prospective Dons player though .... he would absolutely need tae buy his battered fish, chips, mock chop supper etc fae a 'chipper' ... and nae a fkn 'chippie'!!  

Itherwise, in either case he can go shove jellied eels an a yorkshire pud up his 'sassenarse'  

[BigAl]

Having started the Harvey Barnes debate earlier in the week nothing I have subsequently read changes my stance and I find myself in complete agreement with Panda 

You either have the burning desire in your blood to play for Scotland above any other possibility or frankly you're a mercenary.

It really is that simple in my eyes 

[TheDonbytheDee]

International football isn't really my thing, but if the loon Harvey Barnes, really wanted to play for Scotland it would have happened by now.

Now we have actually qualified for a World Cup, there is no point trying to take players with us,  just so they can tick off a box on their bucket list.

 

[OrlandoDon]

6 hours ago, Panda said:

 

So you want Barnes, Adams, Delap, Hirst. Luis Binks is also touting himself for a call up. So we're not talking one or two, we're talking potentially five. You could throw Angus Gunn in there too - although he at least has a Scottish dad, let's not forget he initially turned us down for England.

And then there was Elliot Anderson, who thankfully has finally picked England, who said: "I went away with the Scotland team and I left camp after a few days.... I'm really thankful I've done that now.

"I'm definitely English. That's where I see myself. It's just I hadn't really been called up to England throughout the ages when I was younger so I thought I'd take the opportunity to play for Scotland. Then, once I got that belief that I thought I was good enough to play for England, it hit me, and I focused on England."

 

If you try to make international football like club football and let them switch about, then what is the point of international football?

We could have had Elliot Anderson playing for Scotland in a friendly v England, then later playing for England against Scotland.

Like I said, one or two, not suggesting an influx into the squad. Barnes is the debate and from what I read, Binks months ago expressed his interest in playing for Scotland. I simply used delap as an example as someone who is eligible in a position we are clearly lacking, pretty sure there’s no interest there. I’d certainly like to see Bowie given a chance in the spring friendlies as we know what dykes Adams and shankland can do.

not sure why you are listing hirst Adams and Gunn, I referenced the first two as they are already in the squad, Gunn is obviously too. You suggesting we shouldn’t include these guys? FWIW I don’t think Gunn initially jumped at the chance to play for Scotland, didn’t join us until he was 27, had played for England at all other levels, not totally unlike Barnes who is 28.

[Slim]

I’d take Barnes in our squad I reckon. Starting with the Euro 28 qualifiers. If he’s still interested with no World Cup trip then he should be welcome. Same goes for anyone else with zero caps.

[Panda]

57 minutes ago, OrlandoDon said:

 

not sure why you are listing hirst Adams and Gunn, I referenced the first two as they are already in the squad, Gunn is obviously too. You suggesting we shouldn’t include these guys?

Because I was making the point that it isn't "one or two" who shouldn't be there.

And yes, I include Adams in that. We wouldn't even be worse off without him. 

 

[OrlandoDon]

With maguire signing for cove, made me think of Ryan Fraser. Only 31. Well past his prime, provides width and creativity…..or used to??

[OrlandoDon]

1 hour ago, Panda said:

Because I was making the point that it isn't "one or two" who shouldn't be there.

And yes, I include Adams in that. We wouldn't even be worse off without him. 

 

One or two means new additions. Like it or not, Adams Gunn and to a lesser extent Hirst are not getting punted from the squad. Who is better that replaces them??

[OrlandoDon]

5 hours ago, TheDonbytheDee said:

International football isn't really my thing, but if the loon Harvey Barnes, really wanted to play for Scotland it would have happened by now.

Now we have actually qualified for a World Cup, there is no point trying to take players with us,  just so they can tick off a box on their bucket list.

 

I wish that were the case, same argument for angus Gunn though, took a while for him to want to play for us, and in a position we are really limited in talent. I’d love a 25 yr old Jim Leighton or Craig Gordon, but does that exist any more?

Like Gunn and George Hirst who played for England at all other levels, I don’t see barnes as much different. I’d love us to be a team full of legit Scots but those days are long gone. If we stick by the ‘he must really want to play for us’ then we’re limiting our options, even cutting off our noses to spite our face.

Generalizing, but this attitude is not how most other counties see it or world football these days. Living in the states, very different/opposite but similar, how many are legit Americans vs foreigners with us ties. Kinda reverse but a lot of foreign parents who came to the us and had kids.
I also think there’s so little legit Scottish talent coming through that i fear this might be a peak in Scottish performance and the future is bleak. Much like Aberdeen where you’ve heard me endlessly want a Scottish core, I don’t think the national team is that much different. You’ll have your legit Scots and  the group with Scottish family ties.

[OrlandoDon]

Beating a dead horse but bored until kickoff. Is only wanting players who really want to play for Scotland the same as only signing players who really want to play for Aberdeen? We offer them money, and incentives like cup finals and Europe. Sadly it’s modern football and those good enough who are Scottish through and through who would run through a brick wall to play for Scotland is an ever diminishing list. I think, sadly, we have to be more open minded if we want to be competitive and play in major championships.

[tlg1903]

11 hours ago, Panda said:

What if over the next seven months we found 11 players who all had Scottish grannies, no interest in Scotland but want to play at a World Cup?

What are we actually supporting then? 

Or what if we couldn't get tickets because all the Welsh and Northern Irish fans with Scottish grannies wanted to support a team at the World Cup so snapped up our allocation?

Nah, not having it. 

That's a little extreme 2bf but I don't actually disagree with you.   As I said the best I would feel about it would be unease, we have such a tight knit group and I'm far from convinced they would be happy with someone who had tourist vibe written all over them coming into the squad.  There's also the message it sends out.  If you show up and give your all you could still be shut out by someone who has just decided to give it a go cos world cup, why not? 

 

But if he came in and scored a winner in WC match would you not agree the dynamic changes significantly. 

[RicoS321]

21 minutes ago, tlg1903 said:

That's a little extreme 2bf but I don't actually disagree with you.   As I said the best I would feel about it would be unease, we have such a tight knit group and I'm far from convinced they would be happy with someone who had tourist vibe written all over them coming into the squad.  There's also the message it sends out.  If you show up and give your all you could still be shut out by someone who has just decided to give it a go cos world cup, why not? 

 

But if he came in and scored a winner in WC match would you not agree the dynamic changes significantly. 

It's one player, in a position that nobody has claimed. If he's willing to be a squad player, who waits for injury to get his chance, then get him along. The dirty English prick. 

[OrlandoDon]

24 minutes ago, tlg1903 said:

That's a little extreme 2bf but I don't actually disagree with you.   As I said the best I would feel about it would be unease, we have such a tight knit group and I'm far from convinced they would be happy with someone who had tourist vibe written all over them coming into the squad.  There's also the message it sends out.  If you show up and give your all you could still be shut out by someone who has just decided to give it a go cos world cup, why not? 

 

But if he came in and scored a winner in WC match would you not agree the dynamic changes significantly. 

But is showing up and giving your all a participation trophy? And that also has grant hanley written all over it. Giving your all isn’t enough in my eyes.

Agreed, squad harmony means a lot, but fresh blood in the squad is badly needed. We were the oldest squad at the euros, and we have a bunch of 30 plus players. I really want to see Lewis Morgan, Gould, Bowie, jack Milne, even David Watson given a look in the spring. Josh doig and max johnson too. I’d suggest Watson is better than Barron. id actually prefer we looked at lyall Cameron, even Luke McGowan, before Barron. 

Edited November 23, 2025 by OrlandoDon

[BigAl]

47 minutes ago, OrlandoDon said:

Beating a dead horse but bored until kickoff. Is only wanting players who really want to play for Scotland the same as only signing players who really want to play for Aberdeen? We offer them money, and incentives like cup finals and Europe. Sadly it’s modern football and those good enough who are Scottish through and through who would run through a brick wall to play for Scotland is an ever diminishing list. I think, sadly, we have to be more open minded if we want to be competitive and play in major championships.

Two entirely different things 

International selection driven by birth right 

The bulk of club football driven by money grabbing mercenaries, who have to make hay while the sun shines as career can end in the blink of an eye.

[Jupiter]

So we qualify for the world cup and he suddenly wants to play for us. He can piss off.