English Premier League striker set to switch allegiance to play for Scotland

GEORGE HIRST is ready to answer Scotland’s striker SOS.

The Ipswich hitman has been capped at youth level for England from Under-17s to Under-20s.

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But SunSport understands he would be willing to consider a change of country.

His father David played three times for England and is a legend at Sheffield Wednesday, where he hit more than 100 goals.

But it’s thought Hirst, 25, also qualifies for Scotland through his grandfather on his father’s side, who was born here.

He will be a Premier League player this term after he bagged seven goals in 29 appearances during an injury-hit season as the Tractor Boys won promotion.

Steve Clarke’s side scored just two goals, and had only three shots on target, across their three group games at the Euros as they flopped.

They lost striker Lyndon Dykes through injury in the build-up, and Che Adams started all their matches, but failed to trouble an opposition goalie in Germany.

Boss Clarke is under contract until the end of the World Cup section and if he remains boss he’ll have to put an emphasis on trying to improve the attacking side.

Hirst came through the ranks at the Owls, but failed to break through there and moved to Belgian Second Division side OH Leuven.

After a season Brendan Rodgers signed him for Leicester, but he was loaned out to Rotherham, Portsmouth and Blackburn over four years.

Hirst joined Ipswich on loan in January 2023, and has helped them to back-to-back promotions. He signed a four-year deal at Portman Road last year.

He missed four months with a serious hamstring injury last season, but returned for the final three games as they made the top flight.

Among his runouts for England’s youth teams, Hirst came on as a sub as they beat Scotland in the semi-finals of the 2017 Toulon Tournament.

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