HARVEY BARNES could be Scotland\u2019s wildcard in North America next summer. <\/p>\n
The Newcastle<\/a> winger has not ruled out switching international allegiance to represent Scotland<\/a> at the 2026 World Cup<\/a> after being quizzed about a potential stunning call-up.<\/p>\n Harvey Barnes is being considered by Steve ClarkeCredit: Reuters<\/p>\n The Scotland boss will speak to the winger about a possible call-upCredit: AFP<\/p>\n Barnes, 28, has been on Steve Clarke<\/a>\u2019s radar for several years but has never been included in a Scotland camp.<\/p>\n He earned a cap for England in a friendly against Wales in 2020 but remains eligible to play for the Tartan Army as the appearance came in a non-competitive fixture.<\/p>\n Clarke confirmed earlier this month that he plans to sound out the Magpies wide-man in the New Year to gauge his interest in pulling on the dark blue jersey in North America.<\/p>\n So what can Scotland fans expect if Barnes commits to representing the national side?<\/p>\n SunSport has everything you need to know about Scotland\u2019s potential next star.<\/p>\n How does Harvey Barnes qualify for Scotland?<\/p>\n Barnes was born in Burnley<\/a> and is the son of former professional footballer Paul Barnes, who played for Stoke City<\/a>, Birmingham City, Burnley<\/a> and Huddersfield Town<\/a> among other clubs.<\/p>\n However, the Newcastle star is eligible to represent Scotland through his maternal grandparents, both of whom are Scottish.<\/p>\n Barnes first tasted international football with England Under-18s before helping the Under-20s side win the Toulon Tournament in 2017.<\/p>\n He made five appearances for England at Under-18 level and another five for the Under-20s, before earning four caps for the Under-21s.<\/p>\n Barnes received his first senior call-up from Gareth Southgate<\/a> in October 2020 for a friendly against Wales and Nations League fixtures against Belgium and Denmark.<\/p>\n He played just 17 minutes in the 3-0 friendly win over Wales at Wembley \u2014 his only senior international appearance to date.<\/p>\n What position does he play?<\/p>\n He operates primarily as a left winger but is a versatile forward who can also be deployed on the right or through the middle.<\/p>\n In every Premier League<\/a> appearance this season, Barnes has featured on the left, though he has often been used on the right for Newcastle in the Champions League<\/a>.<\/p>\n His goal against Union Saint-Gilloise and his brace against Benfica<\/a> both came from the right flank, while his strike against Marseille<\/a> was scored playing through the middle.<\/p>\n The wide areas are a concern for Scotland boss Clarke, who currently has Ben Gannon-Doak as his only natural out-and-out winger.<\/p>\n Doak has been used primarily on the right, meaning Barnes would likely start on the left for the Tartan Army \u2014 if he chooses to represent Scotland.<\/p>\n He is the X-factor Clarke is missing and the Scotland boss will be hoping to get him on board to give the nation the best chance of making history by qualifying from the group for the first time. <\/p>\n Harvey Barnes\u2019 career to date <\/p>\n Despite being born in Burnley, where his father Paul played as a striker for the Turf Moor club, Barnes grew up in Leicestershire.<\/p>\n He excelled in local grassroots football before joining Leicester City\u2019s academy.<\/p>\n He made his first-team debut in 2016 and went on to establish himself as a key player over the following seasons.<\/p>\n Barnes was named Leicester\u2019s Development Squad Player of the Year in 2016\/17 and also won MK Dons\u2019 Young Player of the Year award during the same campaign following a successful loan spell.<\/p>\n He also spent time on loan at Barnsley<\/a> and West Brom<\/a> before returning to the King Power Stadium.<\/p>\n After impressive displays for the Foxes in the early stages of the 2020\/21 season, and on the back of strong performances under Brendan Rodgers<\/a> the previous year, Barnes earned recognition from Southgate.<\/p>\n Harvey Barnes shaking Brendan Rodgers\u2019 handCredit: Reuters<\/p>\n He helped former Celtic<\/a> manager Rodgers lift the FA Cup in 2021 and the Community Shield less than three months later.<\/p>\n Barnes eventually left Leicester in 2023 after 16 years at the club, with Newcastle splashing out around \u00a338million to secure his signature.<\/p>\n He penned a five-year deal and quickly became a fan favourite at St James\u2019 Park.<\/p>\n The winger played a key role in Newcastle\u2019s 2025 EFL Cup triumph, becoming part of the club\u2019s first domestic trophy-winning side in 70 years.<\/p>\n As of December 23, 2025, Barnes has made 216 Premier League appearances, scoring 52 goals and providing 32 assists.<\/p>\n What Harvey Barnes has said about a potential Scotland call-up<\/p>\n Barnes was quizzed live on Sky Sports about a potential Scotland call-up after scoring a brace against Manchester City<\/a> last month.<\/p>\n In his post-match interview, pundit Micah Richards<\/a> asked: \u201cCan we expect you at the World Cup for Scotland?\u201d<\/p>\n Barnes laughed before pointing to his headphones, suggesting he hadn\u2019t heard the question.<\/p>\n Presenter David Jones then joked: \u201cThe line\u2019s gone!\u201d<\/p>\n Refusing to let Barnes off the hook, Jones pressed further, asking: \u201cWas this a come and get me plea to Steve Clarke then Harvey? Come on!\u201d<\/p>\n Barnes replied: \u201cThat isn\u2019t on my mind at the minute. There\u2019s a long way to go until the summer.<\/p>\n \u201cThe club form for us hasn\u2019t been there so as you can imagine the team \u2013 my only focus has been the game tonight and the next period of games we\u2019ve got coming up.<\/p>\n \u201cSo I cant say there was any thought in that, it was just getting the job done tonight.<\/p>\n \u201cI think someone said it was the gaffer\u2019s first win against Man City, a couple of goals so a good night all round.\u201d<\/p>\n Richards wasn\u2019t letting Barnes off the hook and fired back with: \u201cSo that\u2019s not a no then?\u201d<\/p>\n Jamie Redknapp<\/a> then quipped: \u201cHarvey McBarnes has a ring to it!\u201d<\/p>\n Richards laughed: \u201cHarvey McBarnes, I like it!\u201d<\/p>\n Steve Clarke\u2019s recent comments on Harvey Barnes<\/p>\n