The former striker moved to Liverpool from Newcastle United for £35million

Former England international Andy Carroll has revealed that he initially agreed to play for Scotland before changing his mind.

The striker made the confession in his new autobiography ‘Owning it: In my own words’ by Andy Carroll. The-then Newcastle United star, who had played for England at Under-19 and 21 level, revealed that he had said yes to playing for Scotland - who he qualified through his grandmother - during Alex McLeish’s first spell in charge.

The teenager - who later became the most expensive transfer in Britain when he joined Liverpool - was set to board a train to join up with the Scottish squad for their Euro 2008 qualifiers before he had a last-minute change of heart.

Carroll said: “I don’t know how they found out my dad’s ma was Scottish. But when I was still a teenager, I was asked to play for Scotland during the qualifying for the 2008 European Championships, when Alex McLeish was manager.

“Being young and naive, I said yes, before actually giving it some proper thought. The idea of international football thrilled me, but I didn’t feel Scottish in any way. I hadn’t grown up dreaming of scoring in a World Cup final for Scotland.

“I had dreamt about doing it for England. And 100 caps for Scotland wouldn’t have meant anything compared to one cap for England. So just as I was about to get on the train to take me up to Glasgow, I rang Alex and told him I wasn’t coming after all.”

It was the campaign where Scotland beat France home and away and were in pole position to finish in one of the top two positions in Group B. A damaging loss away to Georgia and then a late home defeat at home to Italy was the final nail in the coffin.

National boss McLeish then left for Birmingham City at the end of that campaign. Carroll’s international dream eventually came true a couple of years later when Fabio Capello called him up for England. The ex-Liverpool and West Ham United frontman went on to win nine caps and score two goals for the three lions, between 2010 and 2013.

Carroll was left with no regrets. He added: “England didn’t come calling until 2010, but I am glad I waited. That was the right thing to do.”