JORDAN RHODES insists his international allegiance is not an issue as he revels in his “jaw-dropping” promotion to the full Scotland set-up.
Town’s 13-goal top scorer stepped up to Craig Levein’s squad for Friday’s friendly in Cyprus after hitting five goals in two European Under 21 Championship qualifiers.
There were suggestions Scotland risked losing the Oldham-born player to England if they did not cap him.
The 21-year-old, who qualifies for Scotland through the five-year schooling rule, could still switch to his native land even if he features in Larnaca, with only full competitive internationals securing lifetime allegiance.
But the prospect seems remote given Rhodes’ delight at being around the Scotland set-up.
And he dismissed suggestions he had a difficult decision to make.
Rhodes, whose dad Andy played North of the border, said: “It’s something that never even came into my mind. I have always felt Scottish.
“Even when the ruling wasn’t around, two years ago, I was always asking questions and trying to find a way to get in the Scotland team and searching the family tree.
“I have always cherished the memories of my school days in Dunfermline, so the question of whether I would switch never came into my mind. I’m set in my ways.”
Speaking from the squad’s hotel in Limassol, Rhodes, who is due to play for the Under 21s in Holland on Monday, added: “To be around guys like Darren Fletcher and so many good players, there is still a big kid in me that’s in awe of them all.
“My jaw is dropping at the sight of being around them.”
