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

Help added 09:09 - Jul 4 It will only bring you years of heartache hirsty
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Writtleblue added 09:46 - Jul 4 I wonder if I went back far enough in my ancestry I could have played for Brazil.
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MickMillsTash added 10:01 - Jul 4 I hope he's not the sort of person who turns up to weddings etc in a Kilt - 'ha ha there's that w@nker from Guildford in the kilt again'' you know the type !
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Monkey_Blue added 10:40 - Jul 4 Not sure why there are so many negative comments on here. How on earth does it affect anyone but Hirst? Given none of us are professionals with this decision to make to be so patriotic over the location of your birth when it comes to the chance of possibly playing in a World Cup finals is ridiculous. I hope he chooses to play for Scotland and that it works out great for him. I cheer the jocks on as I do the Welsh, Northern and Republic of Ireland.. save your annoyance for something that actually affects you.

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BerksBlue15 added 11:24 - Jul 4 I'm also old school on this, but equally being English not sure we have the right to moan too much about the rules as we benefit hugely in various sports. There was a time Manuel Almunia was being lined up to play in goal for England, don't forget! It's engrained in our sporting heritage to "borrow" players on technicalities. The 2005 Ashes (aided by South Africans Andrew Strauss and Kevin Pietersen, Wales' Simon Jones and Papua New Guinea's Geraint Jones behind the stumps) and 2012 Olympics (Belgian Bradley Wiggins and Mo Farah) were iconic. Equally how many Kiwis or Samoans (Vunipola/Tuilagi) have we all cheered on in an England rugby shirt down the years??

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Blue_In_Boston added 12:14 - Jul 4 It is just wrong, look at the England cricket and rugby teams, both just an ensemble of people who meet the qualifications that mean they can pull on the England jersey.
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scottish_williee21 added 12:51 - Jul 4 @MickMillsTash What’s that got to do with anything? Ultimately he’s great player and would be a great asset to Scotland.
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MickMillsTash added 15:07 - Jul 4 Renton was right. I would prefer it that Hurst doesn't play for Scotland - being injured in a Nations league away game at Latvia will not be doing him or Ipswich any good - Scotland won't be qualifying for USA 26 because they are cr@p and hopefully after this tournaments performance they will be banned from entering EURO 28 because they are cr@p.
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Northstandveteran added 15:51 - Jul 4 I get it Mick Mills Tasch. A bit like King Charles.
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Northstandveteran added 15:52 - Jul 4 Half Greek, half German wearing a checkered skirt.
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scottish_williee21 added 17:13 - Jul 4 @mickmillstash Well fingers crossed we get Mr Hurst and helps Scotland get to the states and future tournaments. however I’m not going to disagree with you on that one as we seem to be pretty rubbish once we qualify for anything !
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Monkey_Blue added 17:32 - Jul 4 @MickMillstash.. how many World Cup qualifiers have you played in? Seriously the amount of people who would never have this dilemma but are absolutely certain how they would respond is unbelievable. Go for it Hirst.. and don’t lose any sleep over people who it’s none of their business objecting. I know this is an unpopular opinion with some English fans and even some Scots but I always want to see Scotland do well unless they are playing England.

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scottish_williee21 added 18:13 - Jul 4 @Monkey Blue- 100% I’m following the home nation just now and I want you guys to do well. And there is however as we all know a small minority of fans from both sides I guess which go to far. Everyone enjoys a bit of rivalry and banter , that’s one of the many reasons why we all love the game. Some of us just need to take a day off man. Most of Scotland all support English teams so make that make sense. Ultimately I would love to see hurst in a Scotland top because he’s a great player and gives him a chance going to international tournaments which would only better his game. What annoys me that Scotland can’t drum up 11 players to play for their country. Which has nothing to with Hurst. Must be my time of the month sorry lads hahahahah

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Baino added 19:10 - Jul 4 As a Town fan, and a Scot....ya dancer! I get what folk are saying, though. But speaking as a person born in Bury St Edmunds, with a Scottish parent, grandparents from the other side who are also Scottish parents and having lived here for 36 years I, theoretically, if I had any footballing talent what so ever would only qualify for England having been born in Suffolk. Slightly different scenario, I get that, but if he's genuinely proud of his grandparents heritage, does his best for Scotland and can belt out Flower of Scotland, can't see a problem. Plenty England, or other born nations have played for Scotland before. Scott McTominay for example at the present time, and for England John Barnes was born in Jamaica as an example for England. He's clearly proud of his Jamaican heritage, but a prouder English man you'd be hard stretched to find. Basically, what I'm trying to say is, it's a personal decision. If Hirst keeps banging the goals in and playing well for Town, and for me Scotland (haha) then all the best GH, not one person can say anything about it.

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Radlett_blue added 10:32 - Jul 5 The grandparent rule is a joke & should be abolished. However, Hirst reckons playing for Scotland might boost his career so we have to shrug our shoulders & hope he doesn't get injured if on international duty.
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Tallen added 12:06 - Jul 5 I'm sort of with The Love of Wisdom on this, I was born in Colchester, have lived in the area all of my life, my Father was 80% English and yet my DNA says I'm predominantly Scottish because of my Mother's side of the family. We are all a bit of a mish mash. As for feeling National Pride when puling on the shirt, ask Matt Holland about his time with Ireland, he didn't know where Dublin was when he was called up but he absolutely loved his time playing at that level for ROI. George will never get to play for England so don't judge him for joining a UK Country that needs him.

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