Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson has revealed he walked out on a Scotland camp because he wanted to represent England instead. Anderson, who qualifies for Scotland through his Scottish grandmother, had been called up ahead of a clash with the Three Lions in Glasgow in 2023.
However, he shocked his team-mates by quitting, as he wished to pledge his international future to England. The Whitley Bay-born player could now make his England debut against Andorra in a World Cup qualifier at Villa Park on Saturday. At the time, it was reported that Anderson withdrew from Steve Clarke’s squad due to injury.
But now he has disclosed the real reason he turned his back on Scotland. “Yeah I went away with the Scotland team, and I left camp after a few days.” said Anderson.
“I decided I just needed more time to make my decision really. I didn’t want to dive into anything, so I’m really thankful I’ve done that now. I’m definitely English. That’s where I see myself.
“It’s just I hadn’t really been called up to England throughout the ages when I was younger.
“So I thought I’d take the opportunity to play, and then once I got that belief that I thought I was good enough to play for England it hit me, and I focused on England.”
And having helped England U21s win the Euros this summer, Anderson admits he has a taste for success and wants to go on and land the biggest trophy of all.
Anderson said: “Yeah, I am very proud. It’s a top boys club up in the North East and I think you can see all the professional footballers who have come through Wallsend.
“For a while there hasn’t really been another player to make England, so yeah, it’s a really proud moment – and I’m just hoping I get that cap.
“When you win a trophy like that (Euros), once you win one, you don’t want just one – you want more.”It’s just given me that extra bit of motivation to try another one, wherever it is.”