Toronto-born Rangers FC midfielder Fraser Aird confirmed his plans to switch his international allegiance from Scotland to Canada in a conversation with the Glasgow Daily Record over the weekend, apparently providing Canadian national team coach Benito Floro with a talented new weapon.
The 19-year-old has scored six goals for the Glasgow powerhouse this season as they mowed down the competition in League One, Scotland's third tier. Aird has worn Scottish colors at the U-17 and U-19 levels.
But it appears that Floro has swayed his loyalties by offering him a direct route into the senior team, and Aird could make his CanMNT debut in next month's friendlies vs. Moldova and Bulgaria.
“I’m waiting to find out if I’m named in the squad. It hasn’t been announced but if I’m in it, then it will be a big honor for me to be involved with the first team,” Aird told the Daily Record on Sunday.
“I’ve done well here but the biggest achievement you can have in your career is playing for your country.”
Under FIFA’s eligibility rules, Aird will remain eligible to represent either Scotland or Canada until he represents a senior national team in official competition, such as a continental championship or World Cup qualifying, meaning Aird would likely not have an opportunity to be cap-tied to Canada until the 2015 Gold Cup or qualifying matches for the 2018 World Cup.
