DAVID WOTHERSPOON has revealed a chat with Scott Arfield convinced him to switch from Scotland to Canada.

The St Johnstone man is currently in Spain with the Canucks at a training camp and could make his debut against New Zealand this weekend.

2 Wotherspoon has switched allegiance Credit: Willie Vass

Wotherspoon, 28, was born and bred in Perth but qualifies for Canada through his mother.

So despite picking up 16 caps for the Scots Under-21s alongside Arfield, Wotherspoon jumped at the chance of forging an international career elsewhere.

He said: “I spoke to Scotty about it and he was very enthusiastic.

“We played together for the Scotland Under-21s.

“He was very positive about Canada and that made me more interested.

“It’s very reminiscent of his situation. Scotty said I should go for it and he was happy to help.

“Scotty was keen for me to get involved and was there if I needed any information.

“It has been ongoing for a while now after I put it out there.

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“They were very interested and I had wanted to see what opportunities might be possible.

“My mum, Sheila, was born in Winnipeg and it is through her ties that I managed to get my Canadian passport.

“My grandparents were over there for 12 years.

“The Canadian Federation have been very supportive and have been keeping in touch.

“I see it as a great opportunity for international football and who knows what the future holds after football for me and my family if I want to go there and live.

“I’m delighted to get selected for the squad. The family are happy for me as well.

2 Arfield in action for Canada Credit: Kenny Ramsay - The Sun Glasgow

“I have been excited about the thought of it for a while now. I have had the training gear on and even that has given me a buzz.

“The prospect of playing for Canada really appealed to me.”

Canada take on the New Zealanders at the weekend so Wotherspoon hopes to get his chance and a first cap.

Pledging his allegiance to them opens up the possibility of playing in the Gold Cup next year but would mean a lot of travelling for the midfielder.

But to finally make his breakthrough on the international stage means the air miles would be worth it.

He said: “All the feedback I have been getting from the coaches has been optimistic. It would be great to play at full international level.

“We play New Zealand at the weekend and obviously it would be great to be involved.

“The next get-together after this one isn’t until September.

“The manager here has been very supportive.

“He had a laugh and joke about it and there have been the wind-ups in the dressing room. But everyone at St Johnstone has been very positive.”

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