Driver's Scotland ambition dashed

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GLASGOW, Feb 12, 2010 (AFP) - Hearts' English-born midfielder Andrew Driver learned on Friday that his hopes of playing for Scotland were over.

New Scotland boss Craig Levein was keen to make Driver, who was born in Oldham and has played for England's Under-21s, the first senior player to benefit from a recent change in eligibility criteria that allows those with five years schooling in a country to represent his or her adopted nation.

But the Scottish Football Association discovered he was not eligible under the new school rule after investigating his education history.

The SFA said in a statement: "The Scottish FA regrets to confirm that Andrew Driver cannot be considered for selection by the national coach, Craig Levein, under the terms of the revised eligibility rules.

"Upon investigation of Andrew Driver's eligibility by the Scottish FA, it has emerged that - despite widespread public belief since the inception of this new rule - the player does not, in fact, fulfil this criterion."

Driver admitted the news was a major blow.

"I am massively disappointed at the outcome but these things cannot be helped," he told Hearts' website.

"I was excited at the prospect of playing for Scotland and was very impressed by what Craig Levein had to say when the idea was first mentioned.

"Obviously, in order to make sure I was eligible, we had to check with my old school and it then became apparent that I was short of the five years required. Nobody is to blame here.

"It is disappointing to think that I may have had a chance of playing for Scotland in a European Championship qualification campaign but there is no point in dwelling on that disappointment."

Levein added: "Unfortunately, after carrying out the necessary procedures, it emerged that he had not been educated for a minimum of five years at primary or secondary school in this country.

"I spoke to the player and his father to inform them and they were obviously and understandably disappointed.

"I consider Andrew a fantastic player with a great future ahead of him and I would have been delighted to work with him at Scotland."