First senior international call-up for Newcastle United star - and he could face Kieran Trippier and England

Newcastle United youngster Elliot Anderson has been handed a maiden senior international call-up after he was named in the Scotland squad for two upcoming fixtures.

The 20-year-old has earned caps at youth levels for the Tartan Army but will now step into the senior setup with Steve Clarke’s side as they prepare for a Euro 2024 qualifier with Cyprus and an eagerly anticipated friendly with England.

Anderson qualifies for Scotland through his grandmother but did briefly switch his alligiences to England when he appeared for an Under-19s side in a friendly game against Arsenal Under-23s in March 2021. But the Magpies prospect has since returned to the Tartan Army ranks and he earned a first Under-21s cap when he played the entire 90 minutes of a goalless draw against Belgium in June last year.

The Whitley Bay-born attacking midfielder enjoyed a productive pre-season with Newcastle as he scored four goals in five appearances but has been limited to substitute appearances in each of the Magpies opening Premier League fixtures. The youngster did receive the backing off United manager Eddie Howe earlier this month as he hailed Anderson’s development during his time at the club.

He said: “I think what he’s done is put himself where we view him as a first-team player and on a par with everybody else fighting for places, when I first arrived he was viewed as a young up and coming prospect. That is a big jump. And that is down to him.”

Anderson could earn his first senior cap when Scotland travel to Cyprus on Friday 8th September before they take on England at Hampden Park four days later in a friendly set up to mark the 150th anniversary of what is considered to be the first international fixture to take place between the two countries.