It seems a long time ago now that Elliot Anderson was starring in pre-season.
While there could be so much more to come from the Newcastle academy graduate, talk that he would start the season as a first-team regular after some “brilliant” outings in America is yet to come to fruition.
Indeed, Anderson is yet to start a game and has been limited to cameo appearances thus far.
Recently, the 20-year-old’s season got even more frustrating after pulling out of the Scotland squad for games against Cyprus and England.
Denied an international debut by injury, Tartan Army manager Steve Clarke did not look impressed.
Steve Clarke responds after Elliot Anderson drops out of Scotland squad
Indeed, Clarke was speaking at a press conference on Thursday and the Scotland boss was asked about Anderson in particular.
Given the fact the Newcastle youngster is also able to represent England, reporters were keen to know if Clarke sought out any assurances from Anderson that he was leaving due to injury, rather than with any hope of leaving himself free for the Three Lions going forward.
“No – he just went home,” said Clarke (via The Scottish Sun) in typically blunt fashion before he added: “It’s disappointing to lose Elliot and Liam [Kelly] on the same day but that’s part and parcel of international football, you just deal with it.”
Difficult to know what to make of Anderson’s thinking
Anderson, of course, could genuinely have suffered an injury.
Still, BBC Sport claimed earlier this week that the player had previously rejected calls up to the Scotland U21 squad and a cynic would perhaps suggest that it is only too convenient to pull out at this stage.
Dual nationality is a deeply personal thing and any decision Anderson comes to should of course be respected.
Still, you can see why Clarke might be disappointed.
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