England could be facing an unexpected international football battle with Scotland after the Tartan Army stepped up their efforts to convince TWO highly-rated Premier League players to switch their international allegiance.
Scotland head coach Sébastien Pocognoli has confirmed that Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Archie Gray and Everton star Hayden Hackney are among the players being considered as he looks to strengthen his options ahead of future international competitions.
Both players were born in England and have represented the Three Lions at youth level, but their Scottish family connections mean they remain eligible to represent Scotland at senior international level.
And with neither player having established themselves in England’s senior setup, Scotland appear determined to make the most of the opportunity before it disappears.
The situation could be particularly interesting for England supporters, given that Scotland have previously watched several talented players with Scottish connections choose to represent their rivals instead.
According to reports, Pocognoli has already made direct or indirect contact with Gray and Hackney as part of his recruitment efforts.
Speaking about his attempts to identify players eligible to represent Scotland, the manager admitted that he was being proactive behind the scenes and was prepared to do everything possible to convince the right players.
“I have had direct or indirect contact,” Pocognoli revealed when discussing the two Premier League youngsters.
“When I go to the direct contact it’s because I feel it’s a first positive approach. So yeah, I’ve done it with many players. I’ll do my best to bring them.”
However, the Scotland boss was also careful to stress that no decision would be forced upon either player, insisting that their international futures would ultimately be their own choice.
And while neither Gray nor Hackney has committed to switching allegiance, Pocognoli made it clear that Scotland are keeping a close eye on their development.
The first name attracting plenty of attention is Tottenham’s Archie Gray.
The 20-year-old has already established himself as one of the most promising young English talents, having progressed through the national team’s youth ranks and represented England at every age level.
However, his family connections to Scotland make his international future an interesting situation.
Gray is the son of former Scotland international Andy Gray, while his grandfather Frank Gray and great-uncle Eddie Gray also represented the country.
That means Scotland have a particularly strong family connection to the Tottenham youngster, who has yet to make his senior international debut for England.
For Pocognoli, convincing a player of Gray’s quality to represent Scotland would represent a significant addition to his squad.
But he is not the only Premier League player on the manager’s radar.
Everton midfielder Hayden Hackney is also being targeted, and his international history makes his situation even more intriguing.
Unlike Gray, Hackney has already represented Scotland at Under-21 level, winning two caps before switching his allegiance to England.
The 24-year-old subsequently made 13 appearances for England’s Under-21 side and was part of the team that won the 2025 UEFA European Under-21 Championship.
Hackney even provided the assist for Harvey Elliott’s winning goal in the final, further strengthening his connection with England’s successful youth generation.
However, he has yet to make his senior debut for the Three Lions, meaning the possibility of representing Scotland remains a significant talking point.
And that is where the potential revenge angle becomes particularly interesting.
Scotland have previously missed out on several players who were eligible to represent them but ultimately chose England.
One of the most notable examples is Elliot Anderson.
The Newcastle midfielder previously represented Scotland at several youth levels and even received a senior call-up in 2023, although an injury prevented him from making his debut.
Anderson subsequently switched to England, progressing through their Under-21 setup before establishing himself in Thomas Tuchel’s senior plans.
The midfielder has since earned recognition as one of England’s exciting midfield options, with Tuchel previously describing him as an elite footballer.
Scotland have also attempted to convince Newcastle winger Harvey Barnes to represent them, but the forward has already featured for England at senior level.
Those previous disappointments provide an interesting backdrop to Pocognoli’s latest recruitment efforts.
This time, however, Scotland appear determined to act early rather than wait until the players have become established members of England’s senior setup.
The manager also explained that the best way to attract players would be to demonstrate that Scotland can offer an exciting footballing project, a competitive environment and the opportunity to enjoy international football.
He added that the two players were particularly interesting because of their age and potential.
For England, the situation is another reminder of the importance of securing the international futures of promising young players before other nations have the opportunity to convince them.
For Scotland, meanwhile, landing either Gray or Hackney would be a significant boost as they look to build a stronger squad for future tournaments.
There is no indication that either player has made a final decision, and Pocognoli himself acknowledged that the situation could take time to develop.
But with Scotland now openly pursuing the pair, the international battle between the neighbouring nations has taken an interesting turn.
Could England really lose TWO Premier League talents to their biggest international rivals?
Or will Gray and Hackney eventually decide that their futures belong with the Three Lions?
