Scotland-eligible winger gets shock World Cup call as Celtic-mad youngster makes decision on future
The EFL Championship man has spoken about his desire to represent Scotland.
Scotland-eligible winger Daniel Bennie appears to have made a decision on his international future after he was named in Australia’s pre-World Cup training camp ahead of this summer’s tournament in North America.
The 20-year-old currently plays for EFL Championship side Queens Park Rangers, and has previously confessed a strong affection for Scottish heritage, admitting he had hopes of a potential call-up to the Scotland squad in the future after breaking into the first team at Loftus Road, starting five of his side’s final six games this season.
“I’ve always known and been really proud of my Scottish heritage,” said Bennie in March. “Growing up, everyone in my family was Scottish. Grandparents, cousins, uncles, mum and dad obviously, so we would always go back every summer and Christmas to see the grandparents and stay there for six weeks or thereabouts. It always feels like home when I’m there. Now it’s only an hour’s flight away, I’ve been back quite a few times during international breaks and when I get some time off.
“I’m sure the appropriate conversations will happen when the time is right but my plan is to let the football do the talking and hopefully that puts me in a good position for whoever and whatever comes along. I know some people might think I’m only interested [in Scotland] because of the World Cup, but this is something I’ve had in my head for as long as I can remember. I discussed it with Lyndon Dykes in the short time we were together here at Queens Park Rangers, and he was also someone I really looked up to.”
Primarily a winger but is able to play anywhere across the frontline or at wing-back, Bennie is eligible to represent Steve Clarke’s team via both of his parents. Born in Hong Kong, he moved to Perth as a youngster, and he hinted he may follow in the footsteps of former teammate Dykes by choosing to represent Scotland despite growing up in Western Australia.
A self-confessed Celtic fanatic, the EFL Championship ace has also indicated he would be interested in a move north of the border, naming the various Australian inspirations he looked up to following their moves to Parkhead.. “I’m a huge Celtic fan,” admitted Bennie. “The rest of the family are kind of split, so derby days were always interesting in our place.
“It was great for me to see so many Aussie links with Celtic down the years, like Tom Rogic and big Ange [Postecoglou]. Watching those guys work made me even more desperate to get to Europe one day myself, and now I’m here I want to make the most of every opportunity I can carve out.”
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