Many have spotlighted Finlay Curtis’ call up by Steve Clarke to the latest Scotland 1st team squad. There is though a teenage midfield prodigy, elite level prospect, currently available to Scotland and England. Should Clarke look at that player first, Jack McGrath?
Multi-international eligibility
It’s happened in the past; a player with joint international eligibility plays for a country at age group level. He (or she), then defects to play for someone else. A solid recent example? Hayden Hackney debuted for Scotland u21s v Iceland in November 2022, during his breakthrough season at Middlesbrough. By the time of his 2nd u21 cap (v Sweden, on 23 March 2023), he had established himself aged 20 not just as a Boro 1st team regular. He was already one of the best players in that Boro side.
2 days after that Sweden game, the Scotland Men’s National Team defeated Cyprus 3-0 at Hampden Park. Just imagine, Hackney had played in that Cyprus game even as an injury time sub? Scotland would be the only country Hackney could play for now. Based on form this season, Hackney would not only be in the World Cup squad in June, he’d likely be in the start v Haiti. As it is though instead, he defected to play for England u21s. His time playing for Scotland is now only a memory.
The midfield prospect for consideration
There’s some genuine talent coming through the age group ranks for Scotland. Some players in the talent pipeline only have eligibility for Scotland. Others will likely be subject of a tug of war between football associations. There is a player in the latest Scotland u19 squad who has so far represented Scotland and England at age group level. In November he was suggested on the Villa Park Podcast, as the hottest talent in the Aston Villa development set up. And it isn’t Scots goal machine, Rory Wilson. The Guardian selected that player as Villa’s best, in its “Next Generation 2025: 20 of the best talents at Premier League clubs”. The player, is Jack McGrath.
Who is Jack McGrath?
Jack McGrath was on the books at Birmingham City before he switched 5 years ago to Aston Villa, the team he supported as a fan. He turned 17 in October 2025, when he also signed his 1st pro contract. Villa Academy Manager Mark Harrison said at the time:
“We are delighted Jack has signed his first professional contract which is thoroughly deserved and a recognition of his potential. Jack is a creative, attack-minded midfielder with very good ball management skills and a good eye for goal. He was part of the successful Under-18s team last season even though he was still an Under-16 schoolboy.”
McGrath’s profile on the avfchistory.co.uk website, lists those under-18s successes from last season as:
- 2024-25 FA Youth Cup Winner
- 2024-25 u18 Premier League Winner
Jack McGrath attributes
On that same profile though, it is his individual stats for a midfielder that make eye-popping reading:
- Youth appearances: 33
- Youth Goals: 20
Supplementing these already impressive metrics for a 17 year old, is that profile lists McGrath already has a couple of goals in 4 Villa reserve team appearances. His goals tally will be helped by what The Guardian refers to him as, “a budding free-kick specialist”.
In that Villa Park Podcast episode in November, Villa Academy expert, Charlie, stated McGrath has:
“The same swagger of another Jack [Grealish], that played for Villa, gliding ability to drift with the ball, and cutting edge in the final 1/3rd”.
Charlie added that McGrath is “doing some really magnificent stuff”, and suggested watching out for McGrath highlights, e.g. his 80th minute goal v Skenderbeu.
Why consider him for the plane to the World Cup?
Like it or not, the attractiveness of playing for a football team fluctuates based on how successful the team is at any moment in time. That applies every bit as much to international football as it does to club football. Also like it or not, player recruitment is a crucial building block for international football team success.
Consider that every decision that FIFA makes, is based on increasing long term revenue and profitability. To make the product FIFA offer as attractive as possible to sponsors and viewers. FIFA thus want to widen the player pool each nation can choose from, to generate interest in each nation’s team. Look at how e.g., the Faroes have benefited from this, and also more topically is Curaçao. There is thus a negligible prospect FIFA will tighten international player eligibility rules. The importance of player recruitment in international football will only increase.
Hence the current attractiveness of playing for Scotland. The prospect of playing at the World Cup finals is unthinkable for most people. For a select few, even being there once will be a career pinnacle and life experience. Some are lucky enough to play at more than one World Cup. As any agent though tells their player caught in 2 minds whether or not to accept a big money offer, ‘you never know when you could get a career ending injury.’
FIFA allow a squad size of up to 26 players for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. 26 allows ample room to take a genuinely elite level prospect. The World Cup can be a tasty carrot, to swing any decision by a playing prospect on international commitment.
McGrath’s performances are now at the level where the Villa News website is headlining, “Jack McGrath could be knocking on Unai Emery’s door after Aston Villa Under-18 brace”. The article highlights that McGrath has 9 goals and 2 assists in his last 9 games.
Should Steve Clarke take Jack McGrath to the World Cup?
In the bold, and likely unique opinion of this website, yes. Give him the chance to become a Scotland legend like Scott McTominay. The longer Clarke leaves it, the longer the door is open for McGrath to other offers, and the risk he becomes another Hayden Hackney.
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