HE lives in Oxfordshire, has been down south since before he could walk and speaks with an accent that is more than a touch on the home counties side.
However, for Dominic Hyam, which country he would choose to play for has never been a problem. It was always going to be Scotland for him.
The centre-half, who plays for Reading, was outstanding for the Under-21 side in their draw with Iceland at Pittodrie and since Gordon Strachan, who was at the game, could do with a central defender or four, the fact one of the younger players is at least showing promise is at least something.
But just how Scottish is Hyam? Very is the answer.
"My dad was in the RAF from the age of 16 and used to be based at Leuchars in Fife," Hyam explained. "My mum was pregnant with me at the time and that's where I was born. He was only there for between six months and a year before we moved back down south.
"I was brought up in Oxfordshire and I've been there ever since, but I feel Scottish. I've got more Scottish than English in me because my dad's mum is from Dundee originally and mum's dad is from Glasgow.
"I was playing for Reading in an under-18s game about two or three years ago against Manchester City away and former Scotland scout Mick Oliver and Rickey Sbragia were both at the game. They enquired if I was Scottish and it all snowballed from there."
Sbargia, the Scotland Under-21 coach, does have a job on his hands. Hyam may well be a prospect, but the fact he's a Reading reserve at the moment means he is someway of being close to the senior squad.
"It was great to get my 21s competitive debut under my belt and hopefully that is the first of many, "he said. "It was also great to meet Gordon Strachan and I was a bit starstruck and though 'wow'!
"The door just swung open and he barged in and the players were all pleasantly shocked and surprised. He seemed a really nice guy and he wished us all good luck for the future.
"He passed on his good wishes for the rest of the campaign and told us that we had done well. Hopefully he will see some of our faces in the A squad in the future."
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