Bristol City hot-shot striker reaffirms commitment to Scotland as senior-call-up beckons

Bristol City striker Tommy Conway has pledged his allegiance to the Scotland national team and would accept a senior call-up if called upon. He qualifies for Scotland through his grandfather on his dads side.

The 20-year-old is top of the scorer charts in the Robins squad with eight goals in all competitions across 20 matches. He had only scored one goal for the club prior to this season and has been one of the stories of the campaign.

His form in August saw him named the EFL Young Player of the Month, in what was the final month of his teenage years. Conway’s form coincided with a call-up to Scotland’s Under-21’s squad, where he played twice against Northern Ireland.

There had been talk that Conway may have been fast-tracked to the senior team but he remained with Scot Gemmill’s side and made his international debut. His form could see him reconsider his international stance and consider representing England. His head has not been turned and he remains committed to Scotland and should Steve Clarke pick up the one, he would accept it.

“If I was to get a senior call-up I wouldn’t say no,” he said. “No, it hasn’t crossed my mind. I’m fully happy to play for Scotland for the first team or the Under-21s.”

Scotland aren’t at the World Cup, but they do have a friendly match scheduled against Turkey, which if Conway can rediscover his goal scoring touch, could put him in contention. If that comes too late, then qualifying for EURO 2024 begins in March, as does the EURO’s qualifying for Under-21’s.

Playing at international level is another layer to Conway's game and for someone who has plenty of years ahead of him, learning is a vital part of his game. He has the tried and tested experience of Nigel Pearson to fall back on and has shaped his game on the advice of Nahki Wells, who has played for Bermuda.

The majority of players play for Scottish clubs, but he is also brushing up against the likes of talented 16-year-old Ben Doak, who is on the books of Liverpool. Scott Gemmill meanwhile was a Championship winner with Nottingham Forest and had over 400 club appearances for club and country.

“I think it opens a different aspect of learning for the game because it’s tournament football rather than league football,” he said. “There are different tactics and different ways of playing. For myself I’m developing, it is really good.”