Rhodes stepped up to Craig Levein's squad for Friday's friendly in Cyprus after hitting five goals in two UEFA qualifiers for Scotland's Under-21s.

The Huddersfield striker continued such prolific form for his club, prompting manager Lee Clark to warn Scotland they risked losing the Oldham-born player to England if they did not cap him.

The 21-year-old, who qualifies for Scotland through the five-year schooling rule, could still switch to his native land even if he features in Larnaca on Friday night, with only full competitive internationals securing lifetime allegiance.

But the prospect seems remote given Rhodes' delight at being around the Scotland set-up, and he dismissed suggestions he had a difficult decision to make.

The forward, whose father Andy played in goal for Dunfermline and Airdrie, said: "It's something that never even came into my mind. I have always felt Scottish.

"Even when the ruling wasn't around, two years ago, I was always asking questions and trying to find a way to get in the Scotland team and searching the family tree.

"I have always cherished the memories of my school days in Scotland, so the question of whether I would switch never came into my mind. I'm set in my ways."

Speaking from the squad's hotel in Limassol, Rhodes, who is due to play for the under-21s in Holland on Monday night, added: "To be around guys like Darren Fletcher and so many good players, there is a still a big kid in me that's in awe.

"My jaw is dropping at the sight of being around a few of these good players."