Former Manchester United star Scott McTominay could provide the blueprint for Harvey Barnes to follow him to Scotland. McTominay made his decision after receiving some wise counsel from Sir Alex Ferguson and Jose Mourinho, who both advised him to snub England.

The Telegraph revealed Scotland boss Steve Clarke and the Scottish FA are working hard to tempt Barnes north of the border. The Newcastle winger is eligible to represent Scotland through his grandparents and is free to change his international allegiance, having earned just one Three Lions cap back in October 2020.

It's believed Scotland are keen to have Barnes on board ahead of the World Cup 2026 later this summer. And if McTominay serves as any indication of how things might pan out at Hampden Park, the switch could prove worthwhile for his career.

Barnes, 28, has netted 12 goals in 36 outings across all competitions this season but still remains ignored by Thomas Tuchel. McTominay required far less persuasion, considering he was just 21 when he made his international bow, though the dilemma was comparable, as it too involved turning his back on his country of birth.

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Speaking to The National in 2018, McTominay's grandfather, Frank, lauded [then-Scotland manager] Alex McLeish, Mourinho and United legend Ferguson for the way they guided his grandson through the predicament. And the latter's contribution proved especially crucial after Ferguson had been involved in the player's youth progression at Old Trafford.

"Alex McLeish handled the situation quite well," he said. "It's been rumbling on for two or three months now in the papers. But he didn't go shouting and bawling. He just said that he would speak to Scott, and he did. He conducted himself quite well.

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"But Sir Alex Ferguson was keen for Scott to play for Scotland as well. He was up front about it. I know that for a fact. I can say that without fear of getting contradicted. That has been kept under wraps. He and Jose Mourinho were both quite keen on it over the last month or two.

"Sir Alex Ferguson has been very good with Scott over the years. He gave him his first contract with Manchester United when he was 16, before he retired, and then made sure it was extended when he was 18. He seems to get on well with him. I have seen them talking."

Scottish supporters will also owe a debt of gratitude to Mourinho, who was outspoken in his view that McTominay should play for Scotland if England weren't interested. 'The Special One', who handed McTominay his United debut, completed some of his coaching qualifications in Largs, near Glasgow, and was eager to see Scotland secure the talent.

Speaking to MUTV in early 2018, he made a phone gesture with his hand as he said: "Because it looks like England is missing him, if I was Alex McLeish, the first thing I would do would be to come to me.

"I think Scott deserves more than what he is getting," the Portuguese manager said after a 2-0 victory that secured his side's place in the quarter-finals. Maybe it's because he's this kind of kid profile: a normal haircut, no tattoos, no big cars, no big watches, humble kid, arrive in the club when he was nine or 10."

One could suggest Barnes is in a comparable situation, undervalued and with limited prospects for success if he continues waiting for England. Scotland are reportedly seeking a decision from the winger before the March international break, at which point he and McTominay could feature in the same squad charting a course for North America later this year.