James Morrison: Baggies got it right when they put me in their foreign 5-A-Side team

May 25 2008 By Gordon Waddell

JAMES MORRISON finally knew he was a Scotland player when he arrived at West Brom - and was dumped in the foreigners' five-a-side team.

The 22-year-old wide man will make his dark blue debut on Friday night against the Czech Republic in Prague after two false starts through injury.

But the former England youth star insists he lost any question marks over where his loyalties lie the day he sealed his £1.2million switch to the Hawthorns from Middlesbrough.

The softly-spoken Geordie qualifies for Scotland through his Edinburgh-born grandparents - but was an ever-present in England's set-up right through to a European Championship final defeat against France with the Under-20s only two years ago.

However, a chance chat between his aunt and then-boss Alex McLeish on holiday in Majorca teed up the switch.

And James has never looked back. Morrison, who played 43 games for the Baggies on their charge to Championship glory and an FA Cup semi, said: "I'm desperate to play for Scotland.

"I'd made my decision a while ago but as soon as I arrived at West Brom it hit home because in training we have England v the foreigners - and I'm in the foreigners' side!

"McLeish first got in touch after he met my auntie on holiday. It's not as if I hadn't known about my background though.

"My grandad had always talked about me playing for Scotland and we'd joked about it. Unfortunately he passed away so I wanted to do it for him and I now get the chance.

"I played every age level from England Under-16s up to 20s. I even played in the team that made the final of the Euro Championships but then didn't make the Under-21s.

"However, now I'm here and hoping to stay. I discussed the whole thing with my family and advisers, weighed up the options and they were all pointing to it being the right thing for my career.

"I'm glad I took it and my parents are as well.

"My mam has been singing the national anthem to me but it's on my dad Charles' side I qualify - and he definitely considers himself a Scot.

"Mum and him will be going over for the game and he'll be a proud man on Friday."

Morrison first came into contention as a Boro player for a friendly against South Africa at Pittodrie but was crocked just two days before the game.

He also had to call off from a B squad and sighed: "I couldn't do much about that one. I did my knee on the Monday when I was supposed to meet up on the Wednesday.

"I feared my season was over but I was fine and now I have a chance to prove myself."

Morrison insists the faith of boss Tony Mowbray has filled him with belief. And he revealed Mogga has spent time reassuring him of George Burley's credentials as a boss.

James said: "Tony played under George at Ipswich, he has adopted his style of play and I'm benefiting.

"I spoke to Tony before I came up - he knows what George is about and his thoughts stuck in my mind.

"I listen to him because he has done wonders for me. It was a huge decision to leave Boro where I was brought up and introduced to the game but I'm a far better player for it.

"That's partly because I've been playing every week but mainly because Tony has worked with me so much and given me confidence in games.

"I had to think a lot about moving because I'm a family boy at heart.

"But I got used to it and love life in the Midlands now."

Mowbray has also added a new dimension to the Darlington born player's game, switching him from right to left.

Morrison, who celebrates his 22nd birthday today, said. "I've been playing left this season and actually prefer it because I can go both ways and it keeps the defenders guessing.

"It has added another dimension to my game. I even played centre midfield as well.

"I've benefited from the change. I made my Boro debut in the FA Cup at 17, got my first Premiership game at 18 and played in the UEFA Cup Final.

"But I knew it was over when they started playing a defensive midfielder on the right wing. It's different at West Brom. I was talking to Shaun Maloney about it and was saying it's great that I don't have to track back.

"The boss just says 'Stay up' because when we get the ball we're one pass away from an attack. That might change next season right enough as we may have to work on our defending in the Premiership."

Meanwhile, Scotland boss Burley looks set to lose the services of Tottenham star Alan Hutton for Friday's game.

Birmingham striker James McFadden has already pulled out after tearing a calf muscle and now former Rangers fullback Hutton is struggling with a toe injury.

Burley said: "We're having to monitor Alan. He was getting injections towards the end of the season for his toe.

"And Kevin Thomson is another one we'll keep an eye on. His foot problem has caused him to miss games as well."