Don't rush Driver on country choice, says SFA chief Gordon Smith

Published on Wednesday 4 November 2009 16:06

ANDREW Driver should be "left alone" to make a decision on his international future, Gordon Smith said today.

• Gordon Smith at the opening of Broughton High's new artificial pitch today. Picture: Neil Hanna

The Scottish Football Association chief executive said he sympathised with the 21-year-old's predicament.

The Hearts winger has played for England at under-21 level but qualifies for Scotland under new FIFA rules, which allow UK passport holders to represent any of the home nations provided they have been schooled in that country for at least five years.

Smith compared Driver's situation to having to choose between girlfriends. He said: "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 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."

Smith was speaking at the official opening of Broughton High School in Edinburgh, which includes a floodlit 3G football pitch.