Aberdeen defender Ashton Taylor is ready to switch his international allegiance from Wales to Scotland.
The 24-year-old has represented the Welsh at under-21 level, but is eligible to play for Scotland due to his Scottish grandfather.
Central defence has been a problem for national team manager Gordon Strachan and Taylor would welcome the chance of donning the dark blue if Strachan was to make the call. The Scotland manager is aware of the Dons player’s availability and has watched Taylor in action.
And Taylor, who has represented Wales once at under-21 level and has three caps for the under-19s, said: “It would be nice to play full international football.
“I have got Scottish in me through my grandparents on my father’s side.
“I would consider it, but I just need to focus on my club football. If Scotland was to come along it would be fantastic but I just need to focus on Aberdeen and doing well here. Every player would love to play international football and to win caps. It is a big honour for any player to play international football.”
Taylor has put a sluggish start behind him to become a dominant presence at the heart of the Dons defence and the summer signing from Tranmere Rovers has established himself as a key member of the side.
He had no idea what to expect when swapping English football for the chance to play in Scotland’s top flight, but the move has worked out better than he could have hoped.
Taylor said: “I am enjoying it. It is brilliant to be here and the position we are in is fantastic for us.
“Things have been going quite well. My performances have been good and I just need to maintain that and to keep pushing on.
“Everything was new and I wanted to get off to the best possible start. Mistakes happen, but I was determined to get through them.
“I don’t really listen to praise or bad things that are said about me. I don’t let it happen because if things like that get into your head it can sway you a little bit.
“I am just the type of character who gets their head down and just goes for it. I have confidence in my ability and hopefully it will shine through, as it is at the moment.”
Taylor’s form has helped the Dons climb the Scottish Premiership in December and with the Dons moving to the top of the table on Thursday after the 2-0 home win against St Johnstone.
Victory at Motherwell today moved the Dons four points clear at the top of the league and Taylor is enjoying competing at the top of the table rather than the perennial struggle for survival with his former club Tranmere.
He said: “I am stronger for my time at Tranmere. It all helps to build me into a stronger player. It gave me a bit of experience being down there at the wrong end of the table, knowing what it is about and scrapping for every point.
“It is good to take that into the games with Aberdeen as we are at the other end of the table – and it is nice to be at the right end.”