Andrew Driver is "thrilled" that he is now eligible to play for Scotland following a rule change by FIFA.
National team boss Craig Levein was keen to recruit the Oldham-born Hearts winger, who is a former England Under-21 international, for his Scotland squad. Both were looking to take advantage of a new rule which allows players in the UK to represent their adopted homeland if they have been educated in that country for five years, but were thwarted after it emerged Driver fell two months short.
However, a rule change which was confirmed on Wednesday afternoon allows a player to be picked if, "he has engaged in a minimum of five years education under the age of 18 within the territory of the relevant association", which means Driver is clear to be picked by Levein.
The rule change takes into account further education, beyond the secondary school stage, and that factor carries Driver over the five-year mark.
"I am thrilled to finally get the all-clear to play for the country I have pledged allegiance to," Driver told Press Association Sport. "Although I was disappointed when it turned out I didn't qualify through the original criteria, I never gave up hope.
"Craig Levein has kept in constant contact since then and I was encouraged when he told me there was a chance the wording would change and that I might yet play for Scotland.
"I am going on holiday now and this will make the summer all the more enjoyable.
"It has given me extra motivation to get back to my best form at Hearts next season and if I can show the manager that I am back to my best, it would be tremendous to be chosen to play a part in the qualifiers for Euro 2012."
Levein was glad to at last get his man, telling Press Association Sport: "Obviously I am delighted with the final outcome from FIFA.
"When Andrew's name was first thought to be eligible to represent Scotland, it flagged up an anomaly in the original wording of the ruling. The Scottish FA - and the other Home Nations - all agreed that the wording needed to be looked at and this is why we pursued the change."
Source: PA
