Scots’ fans could keep McCarthy in green

WIGAN manager Roberto Martinez believes Scottish fans’ reaction to midfielder James McCarthy’s decision to pledge his allegiance to the Republic of Ireland will probably persuade the player to stick to his first choice.

The Glasgow-born 19-year-old, pictured, who has a grandfather from Donegal, has played five times for the Republic’s U21s.

McCarthy, having broken into Wigan’s first team after his £1.2m move from Hamilton, is exactly the sort of player new Scotland boss Craig Levein would welcome. But with his choice of national team having received an adverse reaction from Scottish supporters, Martinez thinks that will sway the teen’s viewpoint.