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The Scot dreaming of a World Cup with New Zealand

Giancarlo Rinaldi
South Scotland reporter
Getty Images Young footballer Callan Elliot with dark hair smiles in the blue and black striped kit of Auckland FCGetty Images
Callan Elliot currently plays for Auckland FC who are in the hunt for the A-League title

A young footballer born in southern Scotland is dreaming of heading to the World Cup next year to represent his new homeland.

Callan Elliot grew up in Annan and went to Brydekirk Primary before his parents decided they wanted to "change lifestyle" and moved to New Zealand.

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.

Getty Images Footballer Callan Elliot in a white strip of New Zealand defends the ball from a Chinese player during an international matchGetty Images
Callan has been capped for New Zealand a couple of times and hopes to add to that

"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 just thought - why not just move the whole family over?

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

He tried a few sports in New Zealand before settling on football, having taken his first steps in Scotland.

Elliot Family A team of young footballers in yellow and black strips line up for a team picture on the grass with medals around their necksElliot Family
Callan (front row, third from right) got his first taste of football in Annan

"My dad played a lot - never professionally - just locally and so he just got me into it from a young age," he said.

"I was at Annan Athletic when I was young.

"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."

The game has already taken him to different parts of the world.

"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 said.

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

Getty Images Footballer Callan Elliot smiling in a black top Getty Images
The defender has already travelled to Greece and Scotland to further his career

His time back in Scotland while with the Fir Park side was, he admits, a bit "weird".

"I hadn't been back since moving over to New Zealand, so you know, I remember a tiny bit of it," he said.

"I went to Annan for a bit when I was back and I remembered a bit of Annan.

"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."

SNS Footballer Callan Elliot in a big hooded jacket over a hooded top to protect himself against the worst of the Scottish weatherSNS
Callan Elliot spent a spell at Motherwell but admitted the weather had not suited him

However, in terms of national team football, he opted for the country which developed him as a player.

"I mean, obviously, the thought was in my head that I could play for both," he said.

"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 describes himself as a "modern-style" full-back who likes to get forward and his team has been enjoying a great first season in the A-League at the very top of the table.

Getty Images Callan Elliot in a white strip battles with another footballer in a purple top to secure possession of the ball while a number of team mates and opponents look on.Getty Images
Auckland FC have surprised many people by competing at the top end of the A-League table

"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 said.

"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."

His appearances have been limited by the fact that club captain Hiroki Sakai - who has been to three World Cups with Japan - also plays right-back.

"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 added.

Getty Images Callan Elliot in a white football strip takes a long throw-in as a couple of other footballers look on with a stadium and floodlights in the backgroundGetty Images
Callan says playing at a World Cup is a "big goal" for his career

The more he plays, the more chance he has of adding to his international caps.

"That's a big goal of mine," he said.

"It's been a while since I played for the national team and, with the new format of the World Cup, New Zealand only need to win the Oceania federation now.

"Previously we'd have to win that and then play a play-off against a South American team so we've got a much higher chance of making the World Cups going forward.

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

There is still a part of him, however, that has a hankering for Scotland, having lived in its capital during his time with Motherwell.

"I absolutely loved Edinburgh, it's probably my favourite city in the world after being there for the year," he said.

"I just think it's a beautiful place.

"I always say to people if you get Edinburgh on a sunny day, it's absolutely unbelievable.

"So, yes, I miss Scotland a lot obviously with my family that are over there as well.

"I'll be back for sure - whether that's for football or coming back to see everyone again."