Harvey Barnes to Scotland latest as Newcastle forward has tongues wagging and friendly plans become clearer

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Manager content to ‘wait and see how it pans out’Steve Clarke has opened the door to Harvey Barnes being involved in Scotland’s World Cup plans as the manager begins to turn his attention to next summer’s squad.Barnes, whose maternal grandparents are Scottish, has been linked with a switch from England to Scotland since before Euro 2024. An injury meant the speculation died down but the winger is currently in good form for Newcastle United and was recently quizzed about the prospect of switching eligibility live on Sky Sports following a game, although he remained very vague about what he wanted to do.Speaking earlier today, Clarke said they still had each other’s day’s phone numbers.

It is understood the Scotland manager will contact the player’s agent and set up a meeting.“I will wait and see how it pans out,” he said.Harvey Barnes has been in good form for Newcastle. | Getty ImagesClarke has always been cautious when it comes to such matters of players switching eligibility, particularly in the sensitive case of moves between England and Scotland.Elliott Anderson joined the Scotland camp in 2023 but left due to an ‘injury’ before even playing a game and has since been called up by England, with whom he is likely to go next summer’s World Cup. Barnes, who featured in a friendly for England against Wales five years ago, might still feel he has chance to force his way into Thomas Tuchel’s plans having caught the eye by scoring four goals in three games for Newcastle in November.There is precedence for a player switching nationality before a major tournament.

Let’s see what happens.”Friendly matches lined upIf Barnes can satisfy Clarke that he is now fully committed, it’s possible he could make a Scotland debut at the home ground of his club in March. There’s already a friendly lined up against Japan at Hampden for the same window, although that has still to be officially confirmed.Clarke is also looking at a Hampden send-off in late May to coincide with a Glasgow camp following the end of the domestic season.Then things will really start to ramp up as Scotland head to the United States for a pre-tournament camp, ideally somewhere “hot, sweaty and sticky” like Florida as they seek to acclimatize.