Brian Howard - Scotland

I always remember Howard wanting to represent Scotland at senior level, but FIFA disallowed it as he played for England under 20's. I didn't think that mattered? Can someone explain the rules?

 

It shouldn't matter. Grealish & Rice of the top of my head in our current England squad both represented ROI at youth levels. Must have been a different reason?

 

There used to be a rule about not being able to change allegiance after the age of 21 or something like that; it was something to do with him having played for England in a FIFA tournament as a kid and not applying to change on time.

Grealish and Rice hadn’t been to tournaments with Ireland.

 

Didn't know that, bud. Fair enough.

 

Rice represented the ROI senior team, he got 3 caps.

 

Yeah but only friendlies right? Otherwise he wouldn't have been able to. I didn't know tournaments at youth level counted as senior too

 

I think they must have changed the rules otherwise Brian Howard would have been able to represent Scotland in friendlies, correct?

 

Yes as Troff said there was a rule change mate, must have been after Howard was eligible

 

He was offered the chance when U21 but turned it down as he was involved in the England set up still.

So at 19 you are facing off against Ronaldo for England but after excelling at Barnsley you were actually called in to the full Scotland squad. What was it that prevented you representing your father’s homeland?

It was really frustrating. It was at u21s when I first got the nod and was asked if I’d change and look at Scotland. At the time I was still involved in the England setup so I decided to wait as I still had time to change. I hadn’t played a competitive game for the first team. Let’s see how it develops.