A HAMSTRING strain will prevent Matt Phillips from making his Scotland debut in Slovenia tomorrow night but that didn't deter the Scottish Football Association from getting the Blackpool winger to pose for photographers yesterday in the national team's new adidas away kit.

Perhaps it was just a coincidence but it was impossible not to note the irony of a former England youth player pledging his allegiance to Scotland while dressed in an all-white top. All that was missing was three lions on his chest.

That's all in the past now, though, as Phillips was at pains to insist after journeying north to join up briefly with his new international team-mates. Yes, he is English-born and bred and represented the country of his birth at under-19 and under-20 levels – including a World Cup at the latter age bracket just six months ago – but now it is all about what he can do for Craig Levein and Scotland. His chances of an immediate debut dashed by injury, the 20-year-old hopes to be involved when the national team travel take on the United States in a friendly on May 26, exactly two years since his first involvement with England.

Phillips speaks fondly of his Scottish grandparents, who grew up alongside him in an adjoining house in Aylesbury, and about how impressed he was with the proactive stances taken by Levein and Michael Oliver, the SFA's chief scout, in recruiting him, as the reasons behind his decision to play for Scotland. Yet there is obvious resentment, too, about how his England career did not progress the way he had hoped and expected.

Playing regularly in the npower Championship, scoring goals and laying on assists, Phillips had every reason to believe it would only be a matter of time before he was called up for the England under-21 squad. Instead, manager Stuart Pearce, for whatever reason, continued to look the other way. That was enough to persuade the player the time was right for him to switch allegiances. "On a personal level, I was just fed up being overlooked [by England] and not getting the recognition I felt I deserved," he admitted. "I felt given that – and having gone away with the England under-20s last summer – I'd have had a look-in for the England Under-21s. So I'm grateful for the opportunity to make myself available for Scotland.

"Being with England at a younger level, maybe some might say I'm choosing Scotland only because I've not been picked by England. But that is not the case. I believe enough in my ability that one day maybe I would have played for England. But I'm not looking at that now. I had two opportunities: maybe to sit and wait for the England under-21s or come and be a full internationalist for Scotland. It was too good a chance to pass up.

"Even if England asked me to play for their 21s now, I've made up my mind. This wasn't a last-minute decision. I've been talking to Mick and people from Scotland for the best part of a year-and-a-half now. I made my decision and I'm fully behind it. I have been gifted to have two countries to play for and Scotland is the one I've chosen."

Only when Scotland's interest became known did Pearce finally make contact with Phillips. It is not difficult to imagine the persuasive powers of a man known as Psycho but, even then, Phillips wasn't for bending. "Yeah, I had a number of conversations with him," the player revealed. "But I haven't made this decision in a month. It's been an ongoing thing and something that's always been at the back of my mind that one day I'd play for Scotland.

"I spoke to Stuart Pearce because it had to come from me. A lot of people might have sat around and waited. But I told him I wanted to come and play for Scotland. I don't think I need to prove anything to England; I'm aiming to do well for Scotland first and foremost. But I suppose I can show England what they are missing."

The way the scenario has unfolded has enraged Ian Holloway, Phillips' manager at Blackpool, who felt the player was good enough to one day play for England. Phillips, though, says he has made the switch with Holloway's blessing. "He never tried to talk me out of it. There was a time when I had a chat with him about it and he asked about my decision and how I'd decided. But he knows my reason and I feel I'm making the right choice."

Scotland's charm offensive certainly helped. There was a new replica shirt for grandpa George, who hails from Ayrshire, and the warm backing of the coterie of Scots at Blackpool, including former national captain Barry Ferguson. He has even been taught the words to Flower of Scotland by George Wood, the former Scotland goalkeeper, who is now coaching at the Lancashire club.

"My grandad is over the moon I'm involved with Scotland. When I last met the gaffer and Mick, they brought a few gifts including a Scotland shirt with my name on the back of it. I don't think my grandad has taken it off since. But he's told me loads about Scotland, the fanbase and everything. I'm excited and delighted to get this opportunity."