Levein eyed Ameobi call-up

Scotland boss looked into striking possibility

By James Dall   Last updated: 31st August 2010   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Levein eyed Ameobi call-up

Ameobi: Caught Levein's eye

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Scotland manager Craig Levein has revealed he looked into the possibility of calling upon the services of Shola Ameobi.

The Nigerian-born striker has represented England Under 21s and holds a British passport, but has never played a competitive game for England's senior side.

Levein had hoped that he could hand Newcastle United's Ameobi a Scotland call-up in a bid to bolster his attacking options.

However, as Ameobi has not been educated in Scotland, Levein cannot utilise the 28-year-old, under the Home Associations rule.

"I tried to get Shola Ameobi at Newcastle a while back," said Levein, who is currently preparing his side for their forthcoming Euro 2012 qualifiers.

"He has not played for England yet, though he has lived in the UK and had a British passport.

"So I thought he might be available to play for Scotland. But we have changed the rules.

"The Home Associations rule is clear. It changed a year ago. You have to be educated in Scotland for five years and it fell down as Shola had not been."

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