SCOT GEMMILL insists Scotland are monitoring England superkid Archie Gray and revealed he’s already put a word in with his ex-teammate’s dad.
Scotland defender Liam Cooper has also tried to persuade the Leeds midfielder, 17, who was linked with a £40million-plus approach from Liverpool, to switch international allegiance.
And Scots’ Under-21 manager Gemmill is playing his part too.
He met his former City Ground teammate Andy Gray, who won two caps for Scotland and is Archie’s dad.
Gemmill said: “His father was an ex-teammate of mine at Nottingham Forest and bumped into him recently at a game.
“So I obviously spoke to him and he explained his son’s situation to me.
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“Of course he is a really good player. To my knowledge, he has come through the England pathway.
“His dad knows there is an interest from us.
“It’s one of these situations and we have to respect whatever decision he makes.”
Gray Junior has been compared to Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold – for his ability to play at right-back as well as further forward.
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But Scotland’s chances of luring him appeared to have dipped earlier this week.
England promoted Gray from the Under-19s to what is now known as their “Elite League Squad” – previously the under-20s.
That means he is in the party for Euro Elite League games against Italy at Doncaster on Thursday night and away to Germany in Regensburg on Monday.
However, the Durham-born starlet remains eligible to play for Scotland – thanks to two Leeds legends in his family.
Grandfather Frank, 69, launched his career at Elland Road from 1972-1979 on the way to picking up 32 Scottish caps.
And great uncle Eddie, 75, is even more revered at Leeds.
The former left-winger spent all his 17 years as a player at Elland Road, winning the top-flight title twice and the FA Cup once.
He only earned 12 Scotland caps but after retiring on the pitch he managed Leeds from 1982-85.
Both Frank and Eddie were born in Glasgow.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
