Scotland waiting if James McCarthy switches allegiance from Ireland

Scotland hope to convince James McCarthy to switch international allegiance, with the midfielder's Republic of Ireland future uncertain. The Wigan player's failure to join up with the Ireland squad for this week's Nations Cup game has sparked speculation over his intentions. Tonight it was claimed McCarthy remains fully committed to the Irish but Giovanni Trapattoni, the Ireland manager, has failed to properly clarify the players' non-appearance with the captain Shay Given publicly questioning the 21-year-old's maturity. That has alerted Scotland, the country of McCarthy's birth, with the manager Craig Levein willing to welcome the player into the camp. McCarthy has made only one friendly appearance for the Irish, meaning he could swap allegiances. Levein was criticised for going public over the Barry Ferguson affair when he wanted the midfielder to end his exile. On this occasion he will take what has been described as a "softly, softly approach". It may be the summer when McCarthy decides which, if any, country he wants to represent. Scotland face Ireland in a second round of Nations Cup fixtures in May, with McCarthy unlikely to want involvement given the publicity which now surrounds him. Levein has no immediate plans to speak to the player but may do so at the end of this season, if the Scotland prospect remains. McCarthy's earlier decision to play for Ireland led to him receiving abuse at Scottish grounds when with Hamilton Academical. Nonetheless, his close friends and Wigan Atheltic team-mates Gary and Steven Caldwell are members of Levein's squad. Roberto Martínez, the Wigan manager, has called for patience. "We need to give him plenty of time," he said. "We need to respect him. He wants to help Wigan. For me that is fantastic. It [international football] is something he needs to think about with his family, with his friends. "It is something very, very deep. But I do not think he has focused on that at all, although it is great to have two nations fighting over you. James is probably the most mature 20-year-old in football. It is a compliment to him. I don't think it is going to affect him."