The centre-back, who could be in line to make his full debut for Australia in the friendly against South Korea in Busan later this week, was born in Aberdeen and his older brother John has been capped three times by Scotland.

Souttar represented Scotland at under-17 and under-19 level but the Stoke City player, who spent last season on loan at League One side Fleetwood Town, said playing for the Socceroos was a straightforward decision.

"There was not really any push from the SFA (Scottish Football Association) to change my mind

"My last cap was with the under-19s and that was a few years ago," Souttar told the Scottish edition of The Times.

"I know my brother's chosen to play for Scotland, but I've chosen to play for Australia. All of our family are really proud of both of us. We're just taking different paths."

Souttar, 20, said he has Stoke teammate and former Socceroos goalkeeper Adam Federici to thank for his call-up to the Olyroos side in March which in turn led to him being named in Graham Arnold's full squad.

"Me and Adam were speaking one day and I said my mum was Australian and he got the ball rolling," he said. "He spoke to people from Australia and they got in touch.

"I met (assistant manager) Rene Meulensteen when I was on loan at Fleetwood. He basically said 'would you play for us?' and I said 'I'd love to'.

"He didn't have to sell anything to me because I wanted to play for Australia.

"It was a good chat about my football and my plans for the future, and Australia's plans."