Former Carlisle United manager Graham Kavanagh has claimed the English FA tried to poach his son for their international set-up ahead of his native Ireland.
Kavanagh, though, says Calum - an Ireland under-15 international who is on Middlesbrough's books - has turned down the approach.
The ex-Blues player and coach spoke to the Herald in Dublin after the controversy surrounding West Ham defender Declan Rice, who is considering switching his international allegiance to England.
Kavanagh said: "My son was asked to represent England but there was no chance. He said he’s completely Irish.
"You know who you are and where you are from from an early age.
"It was never a case of my son considering playing for England. They approached the club and asked if he’d play, straight away we said no.
"If Calum doesn’t play for Ireland he won’t play for anyone else. He’s not going to hedge his bets, he knows he is Irish."
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