Alex McLeish is urging Chris Herd to be Scot

Chris Herd was today encouraged to pledge his international future to Scotland rather than Australia by Aston Villa boss Alex McLeish.

The 22-year-old defender's agent revealed earlier in the week that Herd qualifies for Scotland through his parents and Craig Levein was said to be interested to see whether he would consider a call-up.

Herd's father Willie admitted he had previously encouraged his son to opt for Scotland but played down the rumours and claimed that his son already had his heart set on representing the country of his birth.

But the Australian-born youngster, who joined Villa as a 16-year-old in 2005, might be persuaded to change his mind after former Scotland boss McLeish encouraged him to switch allegiances.

"It's a personal decision for Chris but I would encourage him to play for Scotland, of course I would being Scottish myself," said McLeish.