Both the Scotland manager, Alex McLeish, and England manager, Gareth Southgate, visited Carrington last week to try to convince Scott McTomainy to play for them.

McTominay had previously claimed he felt more Scottish than English so it was no surprise to read reports claiming he had chosen the country of his father, rather than his own birth.

McLeish has spoken today to confirm the news that McTominay has picked Scotland and will play in a friendly against Costa Rica next month.

He will be in the squad. I don’t think that’s the world’s best kept secret at this particular moment.

Scott was very receptive. I looked him in the eye and he gave me passion about playing for Scotland. I saw the passion and I really felt that we had nailed it that day. Of course he has to play a competitive game but if we can get him playing in the friendlies, he can see what it’s all about. We can hopefully have some good performances. Obviously winning is the big thing and then Scott can be a part of it.

He’s had some great games with Jose Mourinho at Manchester United. He’s only 21, he’s not got all the answers – I’m 59, at my last count, and I’ve not got all the answers but hopefully he’ll get more right than wrong.