Town striker George Hirst is reportedly ready to switch his international allegiance to Scotland.

TWTD revealed in October that the 25-year-old qualifies for the Scots via his grandfather. Now, the Scottish Sun says he would be up to committing to playing for Steve Clarke’s side.

Sheffield-born Hirst won caps with England at U17, U18, U19 and U20 levels, while his father, Sheffield Wednesday legend David, won three full Three Lions caps, scoring once.

Speaking in October about his international experience with England, during which time he played at various times alongside Andre Dozzell, Flynn Downes, Tristan Nydam and Nick Hayes, Hirst said: “When I was playing for the England youth team I was playing with and against some of the best players in the world.

“I was at Sheffield Wednesday at the time and I was meeting up with lads who were at Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester City and other top Premier League sides.

“Although it was a bit different for me, it was still a great experience to see different countries, different stadiums and different styles of football. It keeps you switched on and it was better than just having a rest from your club time.”

He added: “Every footballer’s goal is to represent their country and I’m no different. One of the highest achievements in your career is to play for your country, meaning you are one of the best out there. I’ve spoken to my dad about it – he did it three times at senior level – and he agrees there is no greater honour.

“For me it’s a long-term aspiration – I know it’s not on the horizon at the moment – but if I keep doing my job and become the best I can be, and I can help to get Ipswich where they belong, you never know what could happen further down the line.”

Photo: Matchday Images

trulyblue added 21:46 - Jul 3 When footballers sign their first professional contract they should be made to sign a declaration to Fifa which offers allegiance to a national team, they then shouldn't be able to switch allegiance.... It just makes a mockery of the international set up.
4

churchmans added 22:03 - Jul 3 Nooooo hirsty nooooo
1

Europablue added 22:06 - Jul 3 There comes a time in every English footballer's career when he has to accept that he is not good enough to represent England and start checking his lineage.
16

churchmans added 22:06 - Jul 3 How the hell can you feel pride for a country you or your parents where not born or lived in even your grandparents cept one of em!! Just like Israel being classed as european
1

ArnieM added 22:20 - Jul 3 Hmmm all a bit hollow really isn’t it. Oh well, good luck to him. Get some full international caps and it’ll push his value up no doubt.
3

Cakeman added 22:20 - Jul 3 I’m probably old fashioned but I always believe that players should just be eligible to play for the country they were born in.
8

TheReturnOfCthulhu added 22:52 - Jul 3 Well Cakeman, I guess Singapore might have done better with a native Terry Butcher in their team...
11

TheLoveOfWisdom added 23:44 - Jul 3 I'm here to tell you that an English person has on average 17% celtic blood. England was once Celtic speaking in its totality (Brythonic, it is the mother of the Welsh language). Our perception of our "countries" are fabricated. All Britons are brothers. None of this "international allegiance" matters. Let him taste international football. Wouldn't you want to?
13

bobble added 01:04 - Jul 4 the english cap every player they can at a young age to deny other nations players, not that it helped english football in anyway because they are still sh-te..........
0

WeWereZombies added 04:34 - Jul 4 Braw
1

JewellintheTown added 05:20 - Jul 4 For club & a job, you should be fine to work in any country that will allow you to, however for country, Im old school but I think it should be where either you were born or spent the clear majority of your childhood living. No nonsense about where parents or grandparents were born, especially if you've never lived there or can't remember living at your country of birth. Loyalties & pride to represent a country aren't grown in vague technicalities, they're grown in emotional bonds. No second choices if that doesn't work out. But if the rules allow it, then good luck to Hirst. Hope he feels pride in putting on the shirt for Scotland.

5

Westy added 05:57 - Jul 4 Doesn't sit well with me.
-1

Fat_Boy_Tim added 06:49 - Jul 4 Not too many of you will be complaining if Omari switches to England and goes to the next World Cup and I suppose you all think Terry Butcher should never have played for England?
6

ArnieM added 07:03 - Jul 4 Maybe not, but it would be wrong, wouldn’t it.
0

ArnieM added 07:04 - Jul 4 It’s a bit like Zola Bud getting a British passport do she could compete in the Olympic.
-1

BlueNomad added 07:26 - Jul 4 If you were born in a stable would it make you a horse?
5

Westy added 07:26 - Jul 4 Terry Butcher, born in SIngapore, is the exception as his father was in the Royal Marines and stationed there at the behest of the Crown so wholly legitimately played for England. As for Omari, he was born in England.
5

scottish_williee21 added 07:30 - Jul 4 I am very Scottish and very proud of that… however I’m not one of those fans, don’t worry! I don’t know how to feel about this one… I love George Hirst, great footballer and Scotland are crying out for a half decent striker. Saying that our current first choice strikers are not even Scottish. So my point being that it’s great for the team, however it’s ridiculous and embarrassing that we can’t find 11 Scottish guys to make up a team.

3

DJR added 07:37 - Jul 4 Them's the rules, so it sounds good to me, and whilst the English football team doesn't need to engage in this sort of thing, English rugby certainly has done, as has English cricket with people like Greig and Lamb. And let's not forget Mo Farah who was not born in the UK.
2

atty added 07:52 - Jul 4 The lad wants to play international football. Fair enough, because as much as we all love him, l can’t see him getting into the England squad. He’s got a good chance of playing for Scotland though. That said given his background and the tenuous link to Scotland not sure passionate he can be about it. Hope he doesn’t start kissing the badge.
2

Tractor_Boy_in_HK added 08:18 - Jul 4 There was a time that Ireland was fielding a majority English born team. They still rely heavily on third tier English players.
0

itfc58 added 08:21 - Jul 4 Good for him, and cut all the negative comments. Didn't Didn't see or hear any of this sh1t when Matt Holland born in Bury or David McGoldrick born in Nottingham played for the Republic of Ireland. As long as he gives 100% when playing for ITFC who gives a toss what international side he chooses tp represent! All the best George McHirst! COYD
9

Linkboy13 added 08:23 - Jul 4 When he's watching England v Scotland i wonder who he's supporting . I always thought Matt Holland playing for Ireland was a bit of a joke he's about as Irish as Haggis. In Cricket it's even worse almost anybody can play for England.
2

barrystedmunds added 08:38 - Jul 4 If you were born in a stable you’re probably Jesus, Bluenomad!
1

parhamblue added 08:39 - Jul 4 Much, all of this is solved by having a British team. It's an anachronism that goes right back to there being no other organised international football apart from bits of the British Isles playing eachother. It's no surprise that team from the UK has only won one international trophy whereas all the other comparable size European countries are streets ahead. It's also grossly unfair to the best players. George Best never played in a world cup or euros, many who managed to play all four of each tournament available in their careers did not play with the best players the whole country had available. We are mugs. Clue: Blatter wants to keep it this way.

2

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