Andrew Driver admits he is 'massively disappointed' after learning he will not be able to play for Scotland.
Winger to respond positively to news of Scotland ineligibility
Andrew Driver admits he is 'massively disappointed' after learning he will not be able to play international football for Scotland.
The Hearts winger, who represented England at last summer's European Under 21 Championship, was keen to turn out for Scotland at senior level.
New Scotland coach Craig Levein explored the possibility of Driver swapping allegiance, but he did not meet the new criteria of having been educated in Scotland for a minimum of five years.
Driver concedes he was excited at the prospect of playing for Scotland and is determined to bounce back positively from the news.
Nobody to blame
"I am massively disappointed at the outcome, but these things cannot be helped," Driver, who played for Scotland at schoolboy level, told his club's
official website.
"I was excited at the prospect of playing for Scotland and was very impressed by what Craig Levein had to say when the idea was first mentioned.
"Obviously, in order to make sure I was eligible, we had to check with my old school and it then became apparent that I was short of the five years required.
"Nobody is to blame here."
Driver, who has been injured for much of the season with a persistent knee problem, added: "I am a positive character and I just have to concentrate on getting myself fit and back into the Hearts team.
"We have a new manager in Jim Jefferies and I have a new challenge to make sure I am a part of his plans.
"It is disappointing to think that I may have had a chance of playing for Scotland in a European Championship qualification campaign, but there is no point in dwelling on that disappointment.
"My focus is with Heart of Midlothian, but I wish Craig Levein and Scotland the best of luck for the forthcoming qualification."
