‘We can cope’ - Former Celtic star name-checks Liverpool prospect in warning to Newcastle United star

Former Celtic goalkeeper Rab Douglas believes Scotland manager Steve Clarke should not panic over the international future of Newcastle United youngster Elliot Anderson.

The Magpies midfielder has represented the Tartan Army at Under-16, Under-17 and Under-21 level and was handed a first senior call-up by Clarke after he impressed during United’s pre-season schedule.

Anderson scored four goals in five appearances as Eddie Howe’s side prepared for the new season and has appeared as a substitute in the Magpies’ first four Premier League fixtures.

The 20-year-old - who is also eligible to represent England - looked set to commit his international future to Scotland by featuring in Saturday’s Euro 2024 qualifier against Cyprus but he has now withdrawn from the squad after picking up an injury in training.

Douglas insisted Scotland manager Clarke will apply his usual approach to players with dual-nationalities after he handed senior caps to the likes of Che Adams and Angus Gunn in recent years - and he has already indented one youngster that could replace Anderson should he decide to commit his international future to England.

Writing in the Dundee Courier, he said: “The way the manager deals with players who . have a choice to make because of dual qualification is superb. Remember Che Adams, Lyndon Dykes and Angus Gunn?

“He let them take their time, didn’t put pressure on them and they ended up coming to the right conclusion from a Scottish point of view. If Anderson’s heart tells him to go with England, that’s fine. We can cope. But if he does choose Scotland then we’ll know it’s not been on a whim.

He continued: “It might not be the worst idea if Ben Doak now gets promoted from the under-21s to the full squad. Here’s a player who Jurgen Klopp is now trusting to come on for Mo Salah at Stamford Bridge for Premier League game-time. Bringing him into the group for the friendly against England feels like a smart move.

“It would reward a player who is on the fast-track to the Liverpool first team, would please the fans and would subtly show to Anderson that the talent pool is deep north of the border these days.”