James McCarthy the Hamilton midfielder has decided his international future lies with the Republic of Ireland. The Scottish Football Association were hoping to persuade him to switch his allegiance to the country of his birth.

However, McCarthy told the Scottish Sun: "I'm really flattered that Scotland were interested in me.

"It's a huge compliment. The fact is I'd already made my decision.

"Ireland have been absolutely brilliant to me and my family and I couldn't turn my back on them.

"I felt that if I had done that I would have embarrassed myself.

"All I want to do is play football - I don't want to embarrass myself by chopping and changing countries."