The Scot dreaming of a World Cup with New Zealand

A football player from southern Scotland hopes to represent his new country, New Zealand, at the World Cup next year.

Before his parents decided they wanted to “change lifestyle” and relocate, Callan Elliot was raised in Annan and attended Brydekirk Primary.

The 25-year-old right back now plays for newly-formed Auckland FC who are fighting it out at the top of the A-League. He has been capped a couple of times by the All Whites already and hopes he could get a call-up if they qualify to head to the US, Canada and Mexico next year. “I was born in Dumfries but I grew up in Annan until about the age of seven,” he said. “Then my parents just wanted to change lifestyle really and my dad had been over to New Zealand on holiday before and absolutely loved it.

“So they decided to just transfer the entire family over.

“I think the weather was one of the big reasons – and, you know, after moving back last year, I can see why.”

After taking his first steps in Scotland, he tried a few sports in New Zealand before deciding on football.

“My dad played a lot – never professionally – just locally and so he just got me into it from a young age,” he stated.

“When I was younger, I attended Annan Athletic.

“When I moved to New Zealand I started picking up cricket, rugby, tennis – all those sports – and then probably at the age of 12, I just decided to just stick with football.”

He has already been around the world thanks to the game.

“I started my career at Wellington Phoenix and then I went to Greece for a year because there was an Australian coach coaching over there,” he stated.

“Then I went back to the Phoenix and then it was to Motherwell for half the season and now here in Auckland.”

“Weird” is how he describes his time back in Scotland with the Fir Park team.

“I hadn’t been back since moving over to New Zealand, so you know, I remember a tiny bit of it,” said the man.

“I spent some time in Annan after I returned, and I had some memories of her.

“I’ve still got a lot of family there, so I got to see them for the first time in many years, which was nice.”

But when it came to playing football for the national team, he chose the nation that helped him grow as a player.

“I mean, obviously, the thought was in my head that I could play for both,” he stated.

“But I’ve been here so long now – I’ve done all my footballing here.

“I just thought, you know, New Zealand’s the way to go, to be honest.”

He calls himself a “modern-style” full-back who enjoys getting forward, and his team has been winning the A-League for the first time this season.

“When this club was built the target was to win the league in the first season and I think a lot of people laughed at it,” he stated.

“After this first half of the season we’ve got a lot of people rethinking and we’ve proven that we can go on and win the league if we continue in the form that we’re at.”

The fact that club captain Hiroki Sakai, who has represented Japan in three World Cups, also plays right-back has restricted his appearances.

“It is hard to get in front of him but with injuries and stuff I’ve had my opportunities to play – I’ve done decent when I’ve played, which is good,” Callan stated.

He has a better chance of earning more international caps the more he plays.

“That’s a big goal of mine,” he stated.

“I haven’t played for the national team in a long time, and now that the World Cup has changed its format, New Zealand just needs to win the Oceania tournament.

“We have a far better chance of qualifying for the World Cups going forward since previously we would have to win that before facing a South American team in a play-off.

“I hope to get back into the New Zealand team so I can get to the next World Cup.”

Despite living in Scotland’s capital throughout his tenure with Motherwell, a part of him still yearns for the country.

“I absolutely loved Edinburgh, it’s probably my favourite city in the world after being there for the year,” he stated.

“I simply believe it’s a lovely location.

“I often tell people that Edinburgh is simply amazing if you visit on a bright day.

“So, sure, I do miss Scotland a lot, especially because my family is also there.

“I’ll be back for sure – whether that’s for football or coming back to see everyone again.”

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