Hearts star Andrew Driver today revealed his 'massive disappointment' at discovering he is ineligible to play for Scotland.

Thanks to a revision of the eligibility rules as adopted by the four Home Associations, it had been thought the Oldham-born winger could represent the country where he has resided since his schoolboy days.

Under Article 16, paragraph 1(d) of the FIFA regulations, it states that in order to qualify under the new rules, a player must have "undertaken primary and/or secondary education for a minimum of five years in the territory of the relevant Association."

Upon investigation of Andrew'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, fullfil this criterion.

"I am massively disappointed at the outcome but these things cannot be helped," said Andrew, who was capped at U21 level by England in last summer's European Championship Finals in Sweden.

"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. I am a positive character and I just have to concentrate on getting myself fit and back into the Hearts team. We have a new manager in Jim Jefferies and I have a new challenge to make sure I am a part of his plans.

"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. My focus is with Heart of Midlothian but I wish Craig Levein and Scotland the best of luck for the forthcoming qualification."

Hearts boss Jim Jefferies also expressed his disappointment, adding: "I have been keeping tabs on the situation and it's disappointing for the lad as he obviously thought he had a chance of playing for Scotland.

"However, he has to try to put this to the back of his mind now and concentrate on his game. He has been injured recently and it's important he gets fit and focuses on playing well for Hearts - and getting a game for England!"

National coach Craig Levein, who met with Andrew today to explain the situation, expressed his sympathy for the player.

"Firstly, let me express my heartfelt sympathy and deep disappointment for the player, who had expressed a keenness to play for Scotland when it first emerged he may have been eligible under the new rules," he said.

"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 today 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.

"This is not now possible but I would ask everyone to allow Andrew the time and space to concentrate on his club career and I wish him all the best."

Gordon Smith, Scottish FA chief executive said: "Since the Scottish FA was at the vanguard of amending the FIFA regulation, in order to place an emphasis on being educated in the country for a prolonged period and not simply being a continuous resident, it was imperative that we had to protect the ruling as agreed with the other Home Associations.

"It is unfortunate that Andrew Driver is not eligible but I would rather this was determined now rather than at a later juncture that could have had serious implications for the Scottish FA or the results of the national team."

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