Elliott Anderson makes decision on representing Scotland senior team after switching allegiance to England u21s

Scottish Sun

4 hours ago

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ELLIOT ANDERSON nailed his colours to the England mast and vowed to do everything to make Thomas Tuchel's World Cup squad.
And the Nottingham Forest midfielder, 22, plans to do it by bringing European silverware back to the City Ground.
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Scotland can wave goodbye to any hopes they had of luring Elliot Anderson back
Credit: Getty
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The Nottingham Forest star is determined to play for England at next year's World Cup
Credit: Getty
Anderson has been a sensation since leaving hometown club Newcastle last summer and eyebrows were raised when he missed out on a Three Lions call-up last month.
The star initially represented Scotland, qualifying through his grandparents, at youth level before switching allegiance and playing for England U21s in 2024.
And even if Tuchel continues to ignore him, he says there is no chance that Steve Clarke could convince him to return and play in front of the Tartan Army should they reach next year's showpiece.
Anderson said: 'I appreciate Scotland because I was there through the younger ages. But I decided that I wanted to stick with England. All my focus is on England.
'I believe I can get to the senior team. I've just got to keep doing what I'm doing and try and get on his [Tuchel's] radar.'
Anderson, who is with England U21s preparing for Wednesday's crunch final European Championship group clash with Germany, continued: 'Getting in the first team is something all the lads will be setting their sights on. In games like tomorrow and at club level, you've got to do your best to get in.
'I try and get fans off their seats and will do everything for the team. I work hard all game and fight for the team.
'I do like getting forward in the eight position and trying to get into the box and score goals. I enjoy the six as well because you get more of the ball and feel you have more control. They both bring good things out of my game.
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'With the double pivot we play, it allows a six to join the attack, which I like doing. I'll be trying to get in the World Cup squad, that's for sure.'
Despite falling away at the death in the chase for a top five finish, Forest did seal a return to European competition for the first time in 30 years with their seventh-placed finish.
Premier League star, 22, seen celebrating Carabao Cup final triumph in the Newcastle end as fans say 'give him a medal'
Anderson, who says Kevin De Bruyne is his favourite player to watch, is well aware of the club's glory days and back-to-back European Cup triumphs under Brian Clough.
He and his team-mates have already set their sights on winning the Uefa Conference League next term and following in the footsteps of Chelsea and West Ham.
He said: 'We did well and everyone thinks that. Maybe we didn't expect to go so strong, but we've got a great team, and it can only get better.
'Everyone was pretty disappointed that we fell off towards the end, but we must be proud of what we've done.
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'Chelsea won it and if we play the way we did last season, then we could have a really good chance of getting towards the end. I'm really looking forward to that.
'It would be incredible [to win a European trophy]. All the boys have been saying how good it would be.
'The city deserves it. We have an incredible fanbase. I enjoy playing at the City Ground, so if we can repay the fans with a trophy, it would be great.
'The nights under the lights at the City Ground with the European clubs coming is what I'm most looking forward to.'
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Lee Carsley's U21s are preparing for a showdown with Germany
Credit: Getty
Meanwhile, Tuchel HASN'T provided England U21s with any 'insider' knowledge on how to topple Germany.
Though the Three Lions boss continues to be 'very supportive' of Lee Carsley and his players as they battle to retain their European Championship crown.
England head to Nitra tomorrow knowing a victory would lift them above the Germans and secure top spot.
They could also be heading home should they lose and Slovenia, who held our boys to a stalemate, defeat Czech Republic and turn around a three-goal swing.
When asked if senior boss Tuchel had given him any secret ingredient on how to down his home nation, Carsley said: 'No inside tips, no. He's very supportive of the players in the squad and I know that he's watching the players and the games.
'Hopefully we can give him something to ponder in terms of the way that some of the players' reputations are hopefully gaining momentum.'
Carsley revealed the direct conversations have not been long and joked he'd only managed to speak to his wife twice since the squad met up over a fortnight ago.
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Thomas Tuchel has not provided any 'insider' info on the Germans
Credit: Getty
However, he says there is a chance Tuchel could join them in Bratislava if they advance to the knockouts after firstly heading to America and taking in several Club World Cup games,
He said: 'It's all down to his schedule obviously. He's watching the games as are the rest of the staff. I feel very well supported by him.'
Carsley also says his men are counting down the seconds until kick off and are well aware of the long history between England and Germany on the pitch.
He added: 'We all know what the game's about and how much weight it carries - we're all aware of that. You try and remove a little bit of that for the players, but they seem very focused and excited.'
Meanwhile, already-qualified Germany captain Eric Martel issued a warning to the Young Lions.
The FC Koln defender roared: 'We want to win every game – especially against England, because, as they say in Germany, it's 'the classic'.'