Driver remains upbeat

FOOTBALL: OLDHAM-BORN Hearts winger Andrew Driver has vowed to bounce back quickly from the “massive disappointment” of missing out on a Scotland call–up after it emerged he is not eligible to play for the country.

The England under–21 cap pledged his allegiance to Scotland after lengthy speculation sparked by the five–year schooling agreement set by the four home nations last year.

However, Scottish Football Association checks discovered Driver had only attended school in the country for four years and eight months.

Scotland manager Craig Levein had given a strong hint that the 22–year–old would be in his squad for the friendly against the Czech Republic on March 3, but his international dream is now over unless he can one day force himself into the England set–up.

Driver, who has been injured for much of the season with a persistent knee problem, told www.heartsfc.co.uk : “I am a positive character and I just have to concentrate on getting myself fit and back into the Hearts team.

“It is disappointing to think that I may have had a chance of playing for Scotland in a European Championship qualification campaign but there is no point in dwelling on that disappointment.”

Driver, who played for Scotland schoolboys, had long been linked with a Scotland call–up but the new rule did not come into practice until after he represented England in last summer’s UEFA Under–21 Championship.

Driver technically still qualifies to play for Scotland under FIFA’s residency rules but the home nations do not recognise this regulation.