Scotland have made their move to fend off the Republic of Ireland in the fight to cap Josh McPake.
The Rangers winger, who moved to Dundee on loan until January on Tuesday, has now been contacted by coach Billy Stark and been informed that Scotland want to name him in their Under-19 squad this week for next month’s friendlies with Japan in Spain.
The 17-year-old had previously been overlooked by Scotland at his own age group and still plans to hold talks with the FA of Ireland about a possible switch.
McPake qualifies for Ireland through the grandparent rule and they want to pull him into their Under-21 set-up.
The youngster has just completed his move to Dens Park and may concentrate on getting his Dundee career up and running rather than going away with the Scotland Under-19s.
Dundee boss James McPake admitted he will leave it up to the new boy and Rangers to make the decision on where his international future lies.
McPake said: “He is Rangers’ player and for the next six months he is ours but hopefully it will be longer than that.
“I am only interested in Josh at Dundee and I will leave everything else to the boy, his agent and Rangers.”
The Dark Blues chief was delighted to land a player who he had targeted since he stepped into the manager’s job in the summer.
McPake, who joked he was no relation, said: “Josh was one of the targets I had when I first came into the job. Things have been on-going for six weeks.
“I had conversations with Michael Beale about him at the start of June. It didn’t look likely at that point because they are keen on him and I can see why.
“I have seen a lot of him and he is very highly rated and we are delighted.”
