IN OCTOBER 2006 James Morrison's ultimate ambition, according to one online questionnaire, was to play for England.
Talk about words coming back to haunt. Nine months later the then 21-year-old pledged his allegiance to Scotland. Fast forward another ten months and his mum is helping the West Bromwich Albion midfielder learn the words to Flower of Scotland as he p
repares to earn his first cap against the Czech Republic this week, all thoughts of Three Lions apparently tamed.
Two opportunities to make his Scotland debut have already come and gone, injury scuppering his chance to play against South Africa and then in the B squad's match against Republic of Ireland, but manager George Burley is one of those hoping it's third time lucky for the versatile and enthusiastic player.
With a sizeable chunk of the squad assembling in Glasgow last week to keep themselves ticking over in the gap between their domestic season's denouement and Friday's friendly in Prague, Morrison has been using the time to reiterate his qualities to a boss who has been well aware of his progress for a number of years.
A debut for Middlesbrough at the tender age of 17 didn't go unnoticed, nor did his Premier League introduction aged 18. There were over 100 appearances for the Teesside club, including a place in the line-up for the 2006 UEFA Cup final, before he fell out of favour – "I knew it was over when they started playing a defensive midfielder on the right wing," he says – and he sought a fresh beginning at the Hawthorns last summer.
There, the £1.5m signing helped the side to promotion and himself to another tilt at the top flight, playing the kind of attacking and fluid football extolled by the Scotland manager.
"James is a player I have always admired and he has really progressed tremendously well this season," says Burley.
"He is a talented player. He can play either side, is very comfortable on the ball and can create opportunities for other players to score. I think we need that in the squad. For me, there's his talent but he is also really enthusiastic and really looking forward to international football and you've got to be, that's what it's all about. What's a bigger challenge than going to a World Cup finals? I don't know any bigger challenge."
It's an ambition many have long since believed he could realise, with many forecasting a place for him at the South Africa finals in 2010. At that stage though, he was being tipped to star in an England shirt.
Born in Darlington and a graduate of the England youth set up, he represented the Auld Enemy in the European Championships Under-19 final in 2005. But thanks to his paternal lineage, if he does make it to the next World Cup, it will be on Scotland duty.
"I qualify on my dad Charles' side. My grandad had always talked about me playing for Scotland – we'd joked about it. Unfortunately he passed away so I wanted to do it for him and fortunately I've now got the chance.
"I played every age level from England, under-16s up to under-20s, then I didn't make the under-21s for whatever reason," explains the player who believes he could have done a job for the country of his birth but was unwilling to wait for the selectors to arrive at the same conclusion.
"Now I'm here and I'm hoping to stay. I was pleased someone thought my ability was international quality."
Other English-born Scots such as Nigel Quashie, Graeme Murty, Jay McEveley and Graham Alexander have earned international honours in recent years and Burley believes all avenues have to be explored, provided it doesn't compromise the integrity and identity of the squad.
Another recent recruit is Scottish Young Player of the Year Steven Fletcher, who played for Scotland throughout the youth ranks, but was born in Shropshire and only moved north when he was ten years old.
"I think we have to look at all areas, youngsters who are hungry to play for Scotland, that's key," says Burley. "James is one player and we have introduced other young players into the squad. What is important is getting the best team and getting players who are going to be committed to the cause and keep that hunger and passion, which has been shown the last couple of years, going."
The desire to take to the international stage is not masked as the player, who turns 22 today, talks with relish about finally pulling on the dark blue.
"I'm desperate to play. It'll be a difficult game with the Czechs preparing for the Euros and our season being finished so long. But we'll give it our best and I'll enjoy the occasion.
"My mam's been singing the national anthem to me but I qualify on my dad's side. He'll be proud on Friday night. When I was a kid he was always one of them at the side of the park shouting, but he got the best out of me. He started off as a boy at Chelsea as well – after that, he reckons he got injured! He had a reputation as a player but just never quite made it. He and my mum will be going over for the game."
Initially considered a right-winger, Morrison has spent most of the season on the opposite flank and has welcomed the diversity it brings to his footballing development.
"We've had Zoltan Gera on the right, he's a terrific player and he's out of contract as well so maybe they've been trying to keep him happy! But I like playing left because it means I can go both ways and the defenders never know which way you're taking them.
"I actually preferred playing left this season because it's added another dimension to my game. I have even played centre mid as well."
Add to that a goal threat – he contributed six goals throughout the 2007-8 campaign – and he should prove a useful addition to the Scottish ranks.
It was after his first goal for Scotland that Quashie was treated to chants of "You're not English any more" by the Tartan Army and a similar contribution could aid Morrison's acceptance.
But, regardless the goals or the enthusiasm and talent he brings to the national set-up, he will have to revise some of his more controversial ideas if he wants to gain total respect. After all, this was the lad who, a few months after he was due to make his Scotland debut, against South Africa, was asked on the West Brom website: "If you could buy a ticket to any event in the world, what would it be?" His answer: "I'd love to see a World Cup final at Wembley, England v Germany, and England to win, of course."
Hardly the sentiment of the average Tartan Army footsoldier, and words do have a habit of coming back to haunt. But surely now, when he dreams of World Cup finals, it's Scotland James Morrison visualises.
KEY CZECH PLAYERSPETR CECH
The first name on coach Karel Bruckner's team sheet, the Chelsea keeper's protective headguard bobbing up and down on the goal-line has become a demoralising sight for strikers throughout the English Premiership and Europe.
MAREK MATEJOVSKY
With injuries and poor form blighting the squad, Reading midfielder Matejovsky – still reeling from the ignominy of his club's relegation – is expected to feature in the Euro 2008 tournament. What's Czech for "shop window"?
LIBOR SIONKO
Being Paul Le Guen's second signing for Rangers might not be the first thing he puts on his CV, but the FC Copenhagen winger is blessed with explosive pace and skill, making him a threat on the right.
JAN KOLLER
A giant of the game in so many ways. With 52 goals in 85 games for his country, and a deadly understanding with Milan Baros, the enormous 35-year-old will provide a unique test for the aerial resolve of Scotland's defence if he features.
MARTIN FENIN
Since catching the eye of Eintracht Frankfurt, the 21-year-old completed a £3.5m move to the German side and promptly netted a hat-trick on his debut. After then failing to do anything much for the rest of the season, he'll be keen to live up to the hype and prove himself as a worthy replacement for Pavel Nedved.
czech Republic vs ScotlandFriday, 4.30pm, BBC2 ScotlandThe full article contains 1437 words and appears in Scotland On Sunday newspaper.
