Scotland want Newcastle flyer Anthony Gordon to switch allegiances and commit his international future to the Tartan Army.

He is just the latest Toon player who has caught the attention of Scotland boss Steve Clarke and his No. 2, former Magpies’ coach John Carver. Elliot Anderson, Harvey Barnes and Tino Livramento have all been made aware of interest north of the border and they have now been joined on the Scots’ radar by Gordon. The 22-year-old was born on Merseyside but qualifies through his paternal grandparents.

He has been capped by England at various age group levels and was Player of the Tournament in the summer when the Three Lions won the European Under 21 Championships. Scotland have always known that Gordon was qualified to play for them but had always assumed he would be out of reach. However, the fact that he has been left out of Gareth Southgate’s recent squads despite his outstanding form at club level, has sparked fresh interest.

Clarke and Carver are realistic enough to know that even with Scotland’s improved standing on the international stage, the odds are against Gordon turning his back on England. The Three Lions, because they regularly feature in major tournaments, remains the most attractive proposition for a lot of players – Declan Rice and Jack Grealish both switched allegiances after playing for the Republic of Ireland Under 21s.

And Scotland are privately pessimistic about their chances of hanging on to Gordon’s Toon team-mate Anderson despite calling him into the senior squad in September. Carver - Tyneside born and bred - admits Scotland are casting their net far and wide as they prepare for the Euros in Germany next year.

He said: “If someone’s got a relation who is Scottish, then we have to look at it. It’s then down to what he decides but we are aware that these are big decisions about their future.

“It’s no secret that Newcastle is my team and I watch them more than anybody. We are aware they have several outstanding players, who have never been capped by England at senior level, who qualify for Scotland.”