MX23RW : Tuesday, November 26 13:52:32| >> :600:341451:341451:

Matt Phillips rejected Stuart Pearce request

Phillips reveals England snub
© PA Photos
Matt Phillips claims that he is happy with his decision to play for Scotland instead of England despite Stuart Pearce's attempts to change his mind.

Blackpool midfielder Matt Phillips has revealed that he rejected a request from Stuart Pearce to commit his international future to England.

Phillips was named in the Scotland squad for the first time this week and claimed that despite discussions with Stuart Pearce, he is happy with his decision to play for Craig Levein's side.

The 20-year-old said: "I had a number of conversations with him but I haven't just made this decision in the past month.

"I spoke to Stuart Pearce personally, because it had to come from me. A lot of people might have sat around and waited [for England]. But I told him I wanted to come away and play for Scotland.

"On a personal level, I was just fed up being overlooked by England and not getting the recognition I felt I deserved for my performances. So I'm grateful for the opportunity to make myself available for Scotland."

Phillips has pulled out of the squad for Scotland's game against Slovenia due to injury.

ID:18076: cacheID:18076:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:1928:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Chris Gunter
Read Next:
Milner supporting Pearce
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
FT
Ravens
30-23
Chargers
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool1210112481631
2Manchester CityMan City127232217523
3Chelsea126422314922
4Arsenal126422112922
5Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton126422116522
6Tottenham HotspurSpurs1261527131419
7Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest125431513219
8Aston Villa125431919019
9Fulham125341717018
10Newcastle UnitedNewcastle125341313018
11Brentford125252222017
12Manchester UnitedMan Utd124441313016
13Bournemouth124351617-115
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham124351519-415
15Everton122551017-711
16Leicester CityLeicester122461523-810
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves122372028-89
18Ipswich TownIpswich121651323-109
19Crystal Palace121561017-78
20Southampton121110924-154


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!