Scotland are making an ambitious move to strengthen their international squad by targeting two young Premier League players who are both eligible to represent the Tartan Army despite having represented England at youth level.
The move comes as new Scotland head coach Sebastien Pocognoli looks to build greater depth and ensure the national team have access to as many high-quality options as possible ahead of future international competitions.
According to SPORTbible, talks are ongoing over the possibility of the two players switching their international allegiance to Scotland. The Scottish FA are understood to be actively working on the situation, although neither player has made a final decision to change countries. (SPORTbible)
And Scotland’s interest is particularly intriguing because both players have Premier League experience and remain young enough to have potentially important international careers ahead of them.
Scotland’s new approach under Pocognoli
Pocognoli has made it clear that he wants Scotland to be proactive when it comes to identifying players who could improve the national team.
Rather than simply waiting for eligible players to approach Scotland, the new manager has indicated that the Scottish setup is already working behind the scenes to identify potential recruits.
The two names currently attracting attention are 20-year-old Tottenham midfielder Archie Gray and Everton midfielder Hayden Hackney.
Neither has committed to Scotland at senior level, meaning the situation remains open.
Pocognoli confirmed that the Scottish FA is looking closely at both players, describing their age and potential as particularly attractive.
“We are on it,” the Scotland boss said, while explaining that the decision ultimately has to come from the players themselves. (SPORTbible)
That distinction is important.
This is not yet a confirmed double switch. Scotland are attempting to convince the players that their international future should be with Scotland rather than England.
The first player has a strong Scottish family connection
The first target is a player whose Scottish links run particularly deep.
The Premier League midfielder has represented England throughout the youth international system, but he is also eligible for Scotland because of his family background.
His father, Andy Gray, represented Scotland at senior level, while his grandfather Frank Gray also played for the country. His great-uncle Eddie Gray also had a significant Scottish connection.
That gives Scotland a powerful argument when attempting to convince the youngster that his international future could lie with the Tartan Army.
Despite his extensive England youth career, he has not yet made a senior competitive appearance for the Three Lions.
That is potentially crucial.
A senior England debut could make Scotland’s task considerably more complicated, whereas the current situation leaves the door open for a possible change.
The second target has already played for Scotland
The other player has an even more unusual international history.
He has represented both Scotland and England at youth level.
The midfielder previously featured for Scotland’s Under-21 side before switching to England’s youth setup. He subsequently represented England Under-21s and was part of the team that won the UEFA European Under-21 Championship in 2025.
That history means Scotland already have some familiarity with the player.
At the same time, his move towards England at youth level shows that convincing him to make Scotland his senior international home will not necessarily be straightforward.
Pocognoli therefore faces a significant challenge in persuading both players that Scotland offers the best route for their senior careers. (SPORTbible)
Scotland are trying to avoid another Harvey Barnes situation
The timing of the move is also interesting because Scotland recently missed out on another Premier League player with Scottish eligibility.
Newcastle United winger Harvey Barnes was heavily linked with a possible switch to Scotland because of his Scottish family connections.
However, Barnes ultimately decided to continue pursuing England and subsequently received another England call-up.
That experience appears to have reinforced the importance of Scotland acting early when it comes to eligible players.
Pocognoli appears determined not to wait until a player’s England career has already become firmly established.
His approach is therefore more proactive: identify young players, establish contact and present Scotland as an attractive international project before they become regular senior England internationals. (SPORTbible)
A potential blow to England?
From an English perspective, losing either player would be frustrating.
Both have already developed within the England system and have represented the country at youth level.
However, neither has firmly established himself in the senior England team.
That creates the opening Scotland are now attempting to exploit.
For Gray in particular, the Scottish family connection means this is not simply a case of trying to persuade an English-born player to abandon England. He has genuine Scottish eligibility and a family history with the national team.
Hackney’s situation is similarly complicated because he has already experienced international football with both nations at youth level.
Why the move matters to Scotland
For Scotland, this is about more than simply adding two names to the squad.
The national team are looking to build greater depth across several positions, particularly with a new manager attempting to establish his own identity.
Pocognoli has stressed that Scotland already have strong competition for places, but he also believes it is his responsibility to prepare for the future.
The potential arrival of two young Premier League players would give Scotland additional options while also increasing competition within the squad.
It could also send a message to other eligible players that Scotland are serious about attracting talent with Scottish connections.
The decision is still theirs
Despite the excitement surrounding the story, Scotland supporters should not yet treat this as a completed double signing.
Neither player has confirmed a switch.
Pocognoli has acknowledged Scotland’s interest, but the final decision remains with the players.
The manager’s strategy is clear: Scotland want to make the national team an attractive destination and convince eligible players that they can enjoy international football while competing at the highest level.
For now, the battle remains behind the scenes.
But if Scotland eventually secure both switches, it could become one of the most significant pieces of recruitment during the early stages of Pocognoli’s tenure.
And the two names at the centre of the story are Archie Gray and Hayden Hackney — two Premier League players with England youth experience who could yet become Scotland internationals. (SPORTbible)
