Oliver Burke has revealed that England tried “a cheeky one” to get him to play for the national side but says they never had a chance over Scotland.
The 19-year-old was born in Kirkcaldy, Scotland to an English mother, who moved him to Melton Mowbray as a child but Burke admits Scotland has always been in his heart.
“There was nothing direct but I did hear when I was away with the senior squad for the first time that they didn’t want me to play for Scotland,” Burke told The Guardian of the interest from the Football Association.
“I was like: ‘No way!’ I can’t change – who does that? I love playing for Scotland; it’s my country, it’s where I was born, and every time I wear the badge it’s a dream come true – goosebumps. They did try a little cheeky one but it was never going to happen.”
Burke made his Scotland debut in a 1-0 victory over Denmark back in March and has since moved to Germany following a £13million move from Nottingham Forest to Bundesliga side RB Leipzig.
The winger reportedly turned down interest from Premier League sides to make the move to Germany and Burke admits that playing time was a key factor behind his decision.
“You only can only look at your Chelseas and see the amount of talent they have but they’re all out on loan and not getting used,” Burke continued.
“You don’t feel wanted by a club when you sign for them for however much and all of a sudden you’re there for two training sessions and they’ve just bought someone for double the amount. You’re thinking: ‘Why would they play me when they’ve just bought this guy that plays in my position, is more experienced, and has a higher profile?’ For me, it was a no-brainer really.”
The post Burke: I rejected England for Scottish ‘goosebumps’ appeared first on Football365.
from All The News – Football365 http://ift.tt/2dQFsKw
