Assistant coach John Carver says Blues striker George Hirst brings a different dimension to Scotland’s attack.

Hirst, 26, was added to the Scotland squad for the first time yesterday, FIFA having confirmed his switch of international allegiance from England - for whom he played at U17, U18, U19 and U20 levels, his father David having won three full caps, scoring once - to the Scots, his paternal grandfather’s home country, last week.

“Obviously George is sort of a late arrival, we’ve been monitoring him for months now,” said Carver, who coached under Sir Bobby Robson at Newcastle.

“And when we asked him, he was delighted to come and join us. We’ve always said that’s what we want, players who want to come and play for Scotland, and that’s great.

“I know his dad played for England but he wants to play for Scotland and that's the type of player we need.

“He brings us a different dimension. Obviously we lost Dykesy [Birmingham City’s Lyndon Dykes] because of injury and he’s a little bit similar to Lyndon, but what a goal he scored at the weekend, what a way to leave his club football and come to international football.

“He’s an intelligent lad, he's bright, he loves football and he's fitted in straight away.

“I had a good chat with him on Sunday night and we spoke about a number of things but most importantly he's a good player and he certainly brings something to the squad.”

Scotland play Greece in a two-legged Nations League play-off in Piraeus on Thursday 20th March and at Hampden Park the following Sunday.

Town keeper Cieran Slicker is also part of Steve Clarke's squad, the 22-year-old having received his second senior call-up.

Photo: Matchday Images

flykickingbybgunn added 18:59 - Mar 17 Lets hope they give George a chance. He deserves it.
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ArnieM added 19:15 - Mar 17 Go George, knock em dead!
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westernblue added 19:58 - Mar 17 If a team wants to play just one up front, it has to be a player like George Hirst. At this early stage in his career - which I hope will be stellar - Liam Delap doesn’t cut it. I love Kieran McKenna, but if he doesn't see that it does not bode well.
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Leejames99 added 21:42 - Mar 17 Early stage of his career, he is 26 with only a handful goals and assists. 2 goals with all the minutes he has had this season and now everyone bigging him up like he is the next Harry Kane, training with the lads who play in Scotland with tough tackling and then up against Greece the odds him getting a knock is almost inevitable. Got called up because a League One striker is injured and he is a Prem player says it all but fair play to him, he prob back to League One/ Lower Championship where his 6 or 7 goals be appreciated. 1 good header and he better than Delap now dear me, I hope the majority sign for Volchester so all these League 1 signings fans can watch their heroes. I'd much rather see Ipswich Town established in the Premier League. Before you start - He has been good in League 1 and okay in Championship and if relegated should be in squad if he happy to be sub bit he isn't going to be first choice so for his career he be better going to Rangers or Aberdeen or St Mirren or a Sheff Wed where he might be first choice. If we are evolving and get relegated there is no point keeping players who are not good enough for the Premier League. Good to get a call up and get to see a bit of the world though.

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JCTractorboy added 07:22 - Mar 18 @Leejames99 all the minutes he has had?!? What 1 start in prem this season, 17 league appearances and 259 mins total…that’s not a lot of minutes. And when he’s started he’s scored both in cup and league. Not only that you’re talking like 26 is over the hill when it is usually the age most players begin to enter their prime. There’s nothing I’ve seen from hirst this season that has disappointed me at all other than his injury record. Fingers crossed he can put the injuries behind him because he is an absolute asset to the club and has only improved year on year since being here performance wise when fit. Not sure what your issue is with him. Bit bizarre imo

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roystevensonsrocket added 07:48 - Mar 18 Hurst is a good player possible I’m the prew but how we can find ..Omar I the wonderful Delap I have tongue in cheek. The best def. Midfielders we’ve had in a generation will be both gonew. Werleft with a dodgy defence apart from a brilliant keeper. Hopefully someone will be stupid enough to buy Davies and it’s back as it was
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backwaywhen added 09:34 - Mar 18 Roystevensonsrocket Now repeat that in English please !
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Leejames99 added 11:10 - Mar 18 @JCTractorboy Thanks for post. I have nothing against Hirst I j8st don't think he is a Premiership striker, but I'd be happy to proved wrong. I do not think he will ever be first choice in the Premier League unless Delap gets a card, whi h I would not be surprised if Hirst starts VS Bournemouth to keep Delap safe for Wolves but if Delap plays vs Bournemouth and gets a card then we will have Hirst for what is going to undoubtedly be our biggest hame of the season, so Hirst could be the hero of the season. I think at 26 he would of been snapped up by a Prem club by now but his goal to games is not great and injury prone every year, maybe just been unlucky. I'm surprised Mckenna let him go to Scotland for this period because if he gets injured and Delap gets a card we will have no striker. I get why fans love him as they do all the promotion lads and have put a ring of steel around them but unfortunately some have reached their peak. Hirst if injury free could do a Chris Wood and hit form if starts so I won't rule him out but the likes of Morsy, Burns I defo would but their selections is on Kmk. Let's hope he isn't injured while away, if he scores goals for us to catch Wolves great, his Dad was prolific. Delap is also nowhere near finished article and will also still be here next season imo 10 goals so far is not enough goals to get a big more.

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