Liam Cooper has become a secret agent in his bid to persuade Leeds United prodigy Archie Gray to complete his destiny in Scotland.
The 17-year-old midfielder is currently one of the hottest properties in England with Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp chasing the £40m youngster.
Gray is currently captain of the England U18 team – but comes from Scottish football royalty as the grandson and great-grandson of Scotland and Leeds United legends Frank and Eddie Gray and the son of former Scotland captain Andy.
Scotland No.
2 John Carver also revealed that £40million Newcastle United player Timo Livramento was on the radar of national team boss Steve Clarke as he qualified through his mother Scotland mine.
The SFA are monitoring the 21-year-old, but Elland Road ace Cooper is doing his part to convince team-mate Gray to pledge his allegiance to Scotland.
The guard said: “I’m still trying to irritate him, don’t worry about it!
No, I’m a bit of a secret agent.
He knows I will always be there.
“He was a young lad and his family had a rich Scottish and Leeds history.
There’s definitely a bit of emotion there, but it’s flying high for England at the moment.
He is the captain of the U18 team, which is a bit annoying for us.
But I’ll keep chewing on it and hope to break it.
“Have I told the manager about him?
” Not really.
Me, John Carver and the boys were a little crazy.
They know what it’s like.
It’s tough.
Especially when the boy is playing so well and is captain of England at the minute.
But you never know.
” Meanwhile Carver admitted Livramento would be a thrilling prospect for Scotland.
But the Premier League star is likely to take his time considering his options having been capped by England at all levels up to under 21 and qualifying for Portugal on his dad’s side.
Scotland are still hoping to tempt fellow Magpies Elliot Anderson and Harvey Barnes into the Scotland camp and Carver has added Livramento to the list.
He said: “He is a great player.
“It’s no secret Newcastle are my team.
I watch this team more than anyone.
And he is absolutely special.
“But again, he’s a kid, he’s a developing young player.
He is trying to find his way in the Newcastle squad and given the injury situation he is facing.
“Look, if he has any relatives who are Scottish then we need to look at that.
After that, it is up to him to decide and it is they who decide.
“It’s a difficult situation when you have to deal with such a young player.
And just like Anderson, he’s mature for his age, which is why he’s on the team.
“But we have to give these players time to develop and try to make decisions.
They are big decisions for their future.
“He’s on the radar, for sure.
He’s on the radar and as Anderson was, and Barnes is, and many others out there.
“The one thing I will stress, it’s important, though, that the players who are coming to play for Scotland want to play for Scotland.
And I’ve always stressed this since I’ve been here, these players want to be here and want to be part of it.
“This is the most important thing.
But that’s for the future.
