Blackpool midfielder Matt Phillips has revealed that he rejected a request from Stuart Pearce to commit his international future to England.

Phillips was named in the Scotland squad for the first time this week and claimed that despite discussions with Stuart Pearce, he is happy with his decision to play for Craig Levein's side.

The 20-year-old said: "I had a number of conversations with him but I haven't just made this decision in the past month.

"I spoke to Stuart Pearce personally, because it had to come from me. A lot of people might have sat around and waited [for England]. But I told him I wanted to come away and play for Scotland.

"On a personal level, I was just fed up being overlooked by England and not getting the recognition I felt I deserved for my performances. So I'm grateful for the opportunity to make myself available for Scotland."

Phillips has pulled out of the squad for Scotland's game against Slovenia due to injury.