The Wonderkid Striker that is destined to play for Scotland

The Scotland national team’s limitations are well known.

The country lacks a choice of top-quality wingers and strikers. Despite this, Steve Clarke has qualified the country for three major tournaments, the first manager in the nation’s history to do so.

The fact remains that Scotland is in desperate need of a player with pace, sparkle, and imagination.

The Harvey Barnes discussion was inevitable. Newcastle’s flying winger has pundits and ex-players crying out for his Scotland commitment, while Steve Clarke anxiously awaits his call.

Of course, Barnes might pull the carpet from under Clarke’s feet. He could hold out for England and make Tuchel’s squad, or fail, and not pick Scotland.

Clarke’s squad selection for friendlies in March will tell us more. With Barnes out of the equation, who else could the Scotland manager consider?

Former England manager Sven-Göran Eriksson infamously selected an unknown, 17-year-old, Theo Walcott, for the 2006 World Cup. The winger did not get on the pitch, as Eriksson’s decision was lambasted by the English media. On Sky Sports’ Monday Night Football in 2020, Eriksson defended his decision, saying: “If you don’t have a clear choice, why not take a young, talented one for the future?”

Eriksson’s logic was shared by another great manager. In 1994, Brazil coach Mario Zagallo brought Ronaldo ‘O Fenômeno’ into his World Cup-winning squad. The striker was also 17. Speaking in the Football’s Greatest documentary, Zagallo said: “We gave him a chance to see what it was like to be part of a World Cup-winning team, even though he didn’t play. He was there to experience the atmosphere, and that was very important for his career.”

Scotland’s attacking options are quite different from those of Brazil in 1994 or England in 2010, but perhaps Clarke could make a similar wildcard selection. With a lack of established forwards, why not pick a highly regarded young player? Someone who would benefit from the tournament experience and, if played, bring a little bit of magic and attacking edge.

That is what Harry Grey could give in the dark blue.

Who is he?

The 17-year-old striker – on loan at Rotherham from Leeds United – is not well known to many Scotland fans. His family name, on the other hand, carries mystique in the history of Scottish football.

Harry is the grandson of Frank Grey and great-nephew of Eddie Grey. The brothers were heroes for Leeds United in the 60s and 70s, part of the famous Scottish contingent at the club. Frank – a full back – also won the European Cup at Nottingham Forest, while Eddie committed his entire playing career to Leeds, delighting the fans at Elland Road with magical wing play.

Such was the standard of Scottish attacking players back then; Eddie was just one of dozens of devastating wingers available to the national team.

Both Frank and Eddie’s sons became footballers. Stuart Gray (1973-2024) broke through at Celtic. Frank’s son, Andy, had a long playing career in the English leagues and gained two caps for Scotland in 2003.

And then, to complete the football dynasty, Andy’s sons Archie and Harry have now reached the professional game - both seen as future Premier League stars. But this is where it turns slightly sour for Scotland fans.

Archie currently plays for Spurs and England U21. Speaking with talkSPORT, he addressed questions about his heritage, saying: “My hopes are to play for England definitely. It’s where I’m from, and it’s where I’ve grown up. I am 3/4 English so it would only be right.”

Harry looked to be of the same mind, having appeared for England at youth level. But in the past year, there have been some more than interesting developments. At first, there were only tentative signs that Harry might be reconsidering his international allegiance. Deleting his England youth team photos from his Instagram was one detail. Consistently liking the Scotland national team’s posts was another. But these things are arguably not very substantial.

Then came the photo.

Harry Grey was there, in the stands at Hampden, the night Scotland defeated Denmark and made history. The striker joined the Tartan Army in song, as he witnessed the country qualify for the World Cup for the first time in nearly three decades. Could posting this story be seen as a sort of confirmation that he wants to be part of this fantastic era under Steve Clarke?

Grey is an exceptional talent, regarded as one of the best attacking prospects in English football. Leeds have so far managed to brush off interest from Man City and Spurs. Even at his young age, it is clear that he has outgrown academy football. Many Leeds supporters were calling for Daniel Farke to give the striker his Premier League debut this season.

Rotherham Loan

His first taste of senior football has come at Rotherham, joining in January on a six-month loan deal. There has been no need for any adjustment phase. The young striker’s quality stands out among grown men. Rotherham have been languishing at the bottom of the table, but Grey’s arrival has brought renewed hope of survival.

The striker has two goals in his last two games - both victories for his new side. His bullet header from a corner launched a fightback as Rotherham defeated Northampton Town 2-1. Against Exeter, the young striker latched on to a through ball, cut past his man just inside the box, and fired a low shot into the bottom corner.

Grey has far more to his game than just goals. At 6 ft and with some growing to do, the young striker is graceful, well balanced and very good technically. He likes to drift wide, using his light feet to beat his man and deliver dangerous crosses from the byline.

His start in League One has been impressive, although it might not be enough to catch Steve Clarke’s attention yet. But what if the scoring continues?

Rotherham have 18 games left of their season. If Grey produces goals and helps the club survive relegation, it will be impossible for Clarke to ignore, given how highly thought of the young player already is in England.

If the Scottish FA are slow on the ball, England will pounce. Many would see young Grey as the heir to the Harry who is The Three Lion’s all time top scorer. Scotland has already lost out on Elliot Anderson. Although Gray has shown signs he might favour the country of his ancestors, nothing is set until he makes a full international appearance.

Harvey Barnes is 28. Might Scotland concede the fight with England for the winger, and instead focus on securing a player that could be the country’s first superstar striker in decades?