'Of course': Scotland goal hero says he would welcome Harvey Barnes into Tartan Army
Harvey Barnes is at the centre of some intense World Cup speculation lately following Scotland's qualification for next year's competition.
The former Leicester City winger is eligible to represent Scotland through his grandparents, and with Scotland heading to next summer's World Cup, the question is once again being asked if the 27-year-old would turn his back on England to represent Scotland.
While Harvey Barnes has one England cap to his name, it came in a friendly match, which means he can still switch allegiance should he want to.
Barnes hasn't closed the door on representing Scotland, but has refused to be drawn on the question while it remains hypothetical.
Kenny McLean is open to seeing Harvey Barnes in the Scottish blue
Kenny McLean, who scored a wonder goal last week to seal Scotland's place in the World Cup, addressed the rumours around Barnes on the Scottish Football Social Club podcast (via The Daily Record), and he's suggested that the squad would welcome his arrival with open arms, perhaps after an initial vetting.
"If you can add quality that's going to make us more successful, then I don't think anybody is going to stand in the way.
"When we talk about these things, the manager obviously looks at characters, looks at personalities as well and how they fit in.
"Listen, he's playing in the Premier League week in, week out. Of course, he's going to add quality to us.
"I think the players will need to sit him down and see what he's like as a lad as well. I don't know if the manager will let us do that!"
We feel Harvey Barnes should accept the Scotland invitation if it comes
With all due respect to Barnes and indeed Scotland, it seems like the smart play to us if he were to switch allegiance. He's got a lot more chance of getting into the Scotland XI than England's.
England has Anthony Gordon and Marcus Rashford fighting for that starting place on the left with several other top-class options available. Barnes struggles to keep Gordon out of the Newcastle XI, so it's not going to be easy to do that at international level too.
This could be Barnes' biggest chance to play on the biggest stage, and we'd definitely back him to be first-choice down the Scotland left flank at the World Cup. We hope he takes it.
