Driver delays international decision

Andrew Driver has revealed he is delaying a decision over his international future and will not be in the Scotland squad for next weekend's friendly with Wales.

Hearts winger Driver is torn between remaining loyal to his native England or choosing to represent his adopted country but the 21-year-old, who was born in Oldham but moved to north Berwick 10 years ago, claims he is focusing all his energy on regaining his form for Hearts, which has dipped in recent weeks.

"You don't want to drag it on. If you drag it on, it makes it look as if I'm stalling, which shows disrespect to both nations," said Driver. "I feel it would have been a lot easier if I hadn't my form to concentrate on. Next few weeks I'll be concentrating on that and then hopefully the decision will be made."

Driver has unwittingly become the poster boy for a recent rule change that allows British passport holders to represent any of the home nations, provided they have been educated in that country for five years.

His situation has been further complicated by the fact that, before FIFA ratified this change, he made his debut for England Under-21s during the summer.

That is thought to be one reason why Burley has demanded Driver pledge his allegiance to Scotland before he can be considered for selection.

Driver confirmed he had had no direct contact with Burley but suggested his agent had.

He said: "It's something I eventually will have to address. But it's something that you can't rush into.

"At the moment, for me, I'm not going to get into the squad anyway, so there's no point in coming out and making the decision."

He added: "It's a massive decision to make. But the way everyone's been coming across and talking to me, it's as if I would get into the squad."