The 20-year-old has been named to the side for next month’s Euro 2024 qualifier in Cyprus as well as a friendly against England.
He was born in Whitley Bay and qualified for Scotland’s young team through his grandmother.
“He was debating between Scotland and England,” Clarke explained.
“Elliot has been through the under-age groups with Scotland, and he is someone we have been watching.”
“We had some good discussions with the boy and his family, and he has chosen to come with us, which is good for us now and will certainly be good for us in the future.”
Reactions to Scotland’s team announcement
Anderson, who came on as a substitute in Newcastle’s opening three Premier League games this season, briefly switched allegiances to England Under-19s in 2021 before returning for one Scotland Under-21 appearance last year before declining further summons at that level.
“We have gotten some great reports from people within the club at Newcastle,” Clarke added.
“We’ve had a great start to the campaign, and it’s probably easier to blood players in good times than it is in bad times.”
“He’s chosen to stay with us, and hopefully that turns out to be a good decision for Elliot and ourselves.”
Scotland is in good shape to qualify for Euro 2024, having topped Group A with maximum points after four games.
Cyprus has suffered three defeats in their first three games, including a 3-0 loss at Hampden Park in March.
Following the encounter in Larnaca on September 8, Scotland will host England four days later to commemorate the nations’ first meeting in 1872.
The 0-0 draw at Hamilton Crescent in Glasgow, witnessed by 4,000 people, is officially recognized by Fifa as the first international match.
“A game against England takes care of itself,” Clarke added. “We want to test ourselves against top nations, teams that advance to the later stages of major tournaments, but our sole focus right now is on Cyprus.”
Leeds United captain Liam Cooper is out injured, while Celtic full-back Greg Taylor and Blackburn Rovers centre-half Dominic Hyam make way for Nathan Patterson and Scott McKenna.
Clarke said that his side is “a little top heavy” with forwards, but emphasized that Liverpool youth Ben Doak is on his radar.
“Anybody who is doing well for their club, especially at a club like Liverpool, playing off the bench in the Premier League, they are always going to be close,” he explained. “I just felt that this was the right time to bring in Elliot.”
“Ben knows we’re watching him, he knows he’s part of the future, but he has to keep doing what he’s doing at his club and keep playing well.” If he does that, I’m confident his turn will come soon.”
Angus Gunn (Norwich), Liam Kelly (Motherwell), and Zander Clark (Hearts) are the goalkeepers for Scotland.
Andrew Robertson (Liverpool), Kieran Tierney (Real Sociedad), Jack Hendry (Al-Ettifaq), Aaron Hickey (Brentford), Ryan Porteous (Watford), John Souttar (Rangers), Scott McKenna (Nottingham Forest), Nathan Patterson (Everton) are among the defenders.
Elliot Anderson (Newcastle United), Stuart Armstrong (Southampton), Lewis Ferguson (Bologna), Billy Gilmour (Brighton), Callum McGregor (Celtic), Ryan Jack (Rangers), Scott McTominay (Manchester United), John McGinn (Aston Villa), and Kenny McLean (Norwich City) are the midfielders.
Che Adams (Southampton), Ryan Christie (Bournemouth), Lyndon Dykes (QPR), Lawrence Shankland (Hearts), and Kevin Nisbet (Millwall) are the forwards.
