FORMER Chelsea midfielder Jody Morris has admitted he would consider playing for Scotland if George Burley is keen to bring him into the international set-up.
The London-born St Johnstone vice-captain, 30, would be eligible to play for Scotland as he has a Glasgow-born grandfather, but the player would first need to contact Fifa to ask to switch associations, having already represented England seven time
s at Under-21 level.
Morris was watched by the Scotland assistant coach, Paul Hegarty, at McDiarmid Park on Saturday as he helped the Saints record their first home SPL win of the season, beating Falkirk 3-1.
Morris, who is close friends with England internationals Frank Lampard, John Terry and Rio Ferdinand and who last week clinched a new two-year deal after reviving his career north of the Border under the guidance of Perth manager and former Millwall colleague Derek McInnes, revealed: "I have family in Scotland and my granddad comes from Glasgow.
"Playing for Scotland is not something I've thought about before but it's something I would think about now."
That could pave the way to a possible call-up by Scotland manager Burley.
Perth fans have already kicked-off an internet plea for Morris to pull on the dark blue of Scotland.
The 5ft 5in midfielder, who has bagged three goals this term, including strikes at Celtic Park and Easter Road, has shaken off the disciplinary problems which plagued his career in England after leaving Stamford Bridge. After settling with his wife and two children in Glasgow and signing a new deal through to 2012, Morris said: "I've had a new lease of life since coming to St Johnstone two years ago. I'm happy here and I'm enjoying my football. I'm loving the SPL.
"It's good to be settled now that I'm older with responsibilities."
Hegarty also watched Morris's highly-rated team-mate Murray Davidson in the match against Falkirk, while he was also likely to be checking on the progress of Darren Barr and Scott Arfield in the visitors' ranks.
Davidson is a candidate for Burley's squad for the friendly against Wales at Cardiff City's new stadium later this month.
New Scotland coach Hegarty came away hugely impressed at the 21-year-old's display.
Davidson netted his third goal of the season since his arrival from Livingston in the summer and his late breaking runs into the penalty area again caught the eye.
Burley names his squad at Hampden on Thursday morning for the trip to Cardiff on 14 November and should he choose to experiment then Davidson – not capped yet at any level – could be in line for a first call-up.
Hegarty said: "I had Murray at Livingston, so I know what he is like on and off the park – he is excellent.
"He played brilliantly on Saturday, was absolutely first-class, and was one of several players that George Burley asked me to go and see.
"All the reports I give back to the manager are a true and honest appraisal.
"It's a case of me giving George and Terry Butcher as much information as possible and then they either follow it up or put it on the back burner for a future date.
"I've given my report to George on several players and Murray is one of them."
Meanwhile, it has emerged that Scotland will not play home Euro 2012 qualifiers on Friday nights despite changes to the international calendar.
Fifa has ratified plans to play internationals on Tuesday nights instead of Wednesday.
Individual associations will retain control over when they play the first part of a double header but many could choose to switch to Friday nights to maintain the four-day gap between games.
But Saturday afternoon will remain Scotland's preferred option for home matches. "I would imagine Saturday internationals will continue for Scotland," said Scottish Football Association chief executive Gordon Smith.
"In most cases, that would suit us better. The police are not keen on Friday night matches, so we would have to talk to them about the possibility.
"We have to take the fans into account as well. A lot travel to Glasgow and would probably prefer us not to play on a Friday."
Smith added: "It leaves us playing Saturday then Tuesday, while our opponents might have an extra day to recover. Of course, the other side is that if we're playing away from home on a Friday then we will get that extra bit of leeway."
The decision was prompted by a desire to compromise with clubs who were unhappy with the condition of players after midweek internationals.
"Last year, the vote in favour of keeping it Wednesday – Saturday was something like 88 per cent," Smith added.
"I think it's down to pressure from clubs, who are unhappy with players returning late or exhausted from Wednesday games."
