Driver in 'girlfriend' dilemma

Scottish FA chief tells winger to take time over choosing right Mrs

By Elliot Ball   Last updated: 4th November 2009   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Driver in 'girlfriend' dilemma

Driver: Tough choice beckons

I feel sorry for the boy because, at the end of the day, he knows two girls - he's not going out with either of them.

Gordon Smith on Andrew Driver
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Gordon Smith believes Andrew Driver has become a "victim" of a rule-change allowing him to choose his nationality and has likened the winger's international future dilemma to someone picking between two potential girlfriends.

The unusual comparison made by Scottish FA chief executive Smith comes after the news that Hearts midfielder is torn over deciding either England or Scotland as his preferred nationality.

Driver could be the first player to have the chance to take advantage of a new stipulation in the rules, which allows British passport holders to represent any of the home nations, providing they have been educated in that country for five years.

The Oldham-born 21-year-old has spent most of his life in Edinburgh and has represented both nations - Scotland at schoolboy level and the Three Lions in last summer's Under 21 championships in June.

Driver, who has courted interest of Premier League Burnley in recent seasons, confirmed on Tuesday he would not be in the Scotland squad for next Saturday's friendly in Wales, but said he hoped to make a decision about his future before the end of the year, admitting dragging out the saga would be "disrespectful" to both countries.

Girl trouble?

But Smith believes Driver should not be rushed: "I feel sorry for the boy because, at the end of the day, he knows two girls - he's not going out with either of them.

"So he's not upsetting either of them by not selecting one or the other - he might still have not made his mind up which one he prefers."

Smith, who insisted he had no personal view on whether he would like to see Driver in a Scotland shirt, added: "I think he's been a victim of this whole thing, because he's being put under pressure.

"He's officially English at the moment because he played for the England Under-21s and he'd have to change his nationality with Fifa. Why should he even consider that unless he's going to be selected for Scotland?

"The thing we need to know about first and foremost is where his Scotland career's going.

"If he comes into contention for selection then there's a situation to consider. Until that happens, I think the boy should be left alone."

That position would appear to put Smith slightly at odds with Scotland boss George Burley, who wants Driver to proclaim his allegiance to the country before considering him for selection.