St Mirren's 20-year-old defender-cum-midfielder Sergei Baltacha was chosen for Scotland's Under-21 squad yesterday and manager Craig Brown revealed that the youngster, whose father played for St Johnstone, is eligible for six different countries.
Brown explained: ''The boy has had a British passport for 12 years now.
His father, also Sergei, played for Ipswich before coming up to St Johnstone and young Sergei has had a British passport for all these years, which enables him to play for any of the four home countries.
''He is also eligible to play for Russia because he was born there before the Soviet Union broke up - and because he was born in Kiev, he could also play for the Ukraine,'' Brown said.
''But we have moved in first because we believe that this boy could become a major talent in the game and we did not want to lose him. For instance, his father is still friendly with the Ipswich chairman and it could have meant him being selected for England.''
Under-21 manager, Alex Smith, has indicated to Brown that some of the more established names could soon be ready to follow Barry Ferguson and Mark Burchill into the full Scotland set up.
Smith said: ''There has been a lot of talk about youngsters not breaking through because of the influx of foreign players, but we have a group of players who are very impressive and who are showing a great deal of promise.''
They will see that as a positive sign and I will emphasise that to them when we all get together.'' Scotland Under-21 squad:
Esson (Aberdeen), Gallacher (Dundee United), Langfield (Dundee), Anderson (Aberdeen), Jordan (Bristol City), Lauchlan (Kilmarnock), Naysmith (Hearts), Nicholson (Rangers), Wilkie (Dundee), Baltacha (St Mirren), Davidson (Dundee United), Easton (Dundee United), Hughes (Bournemouth), Murray (St Mirren), Rea (Dundee), Paterson (Dundee United), Severin (Hearts), Strachan (Coventry), Dalglish (Norwich), Notman (Manchester United), Tarrant (Aston Villa), Thompson (Dundee United).
qCHARLIE Miller last night completed his #350,000 move to Watford, with the promise of a further #200,000 to Rangers if he makes the grade in the Premiership.
The midfielder had been on trial at Vicarage Road and impressed manager Graham Taylor enough for him to part with the money.
Miller said: ''Graham Taylor has given me a chance. Hopefully, I can take that chance and be a part of a successful Watford team.''
The Ibrox club will receive the extra #200,000 if Miller makes a certain amount of appearances for Watford.
qDUNDEE United are to splash out #340,000 on a new training pitch - to follow the lead of France's World Cup winners.
The Tannadice club are to lay a new all-weather surface at their Gussie Park HQ.
French company Somner Sports Systems are providing the new pitch, which will be identical to the one used by the French side at the Stade de France.
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