KEAGHAN JACOBS insists he would be honoured to pull on the dark blue of Scotland. Livingston’s midfield maverick was born in Johannesburg and holds a Dutch passport but has been in West Lothian since he was just nine years old. Jacobs was schooled at St Margaret’s Academy in the town and even represented West Lothian and Scotland at his other great sporting love, cricket. Now Gordon Smith has pushed through a FIFA-approved law which states British passport holders born outside Scotland who have been schooled here for five years are eligible for the national team. The 20-year-old doesn’t hold a UK passport but having lived, schooled and worked in Scotland for 11 years, that is nothing more than a formality. And Jacobs, who has never been capped at any level by his native South Africa, insists he feels more Scottish than South African, having spent most of his life in West Lothian. “I’ve been on the books of Livingston since I was 13 and just turned 20 last month,” explained Jacobs. “I moved here when I was nine, so I’ve lived here more than half my life. “I do feel more Scottish than South African, in a way, as I’ve been here now for 11 years and since leaving South Africa, I’ve never been back — not even for a visit. “Scotland is pretty much all I’ve known and I love living here. The lifestyle here is very different to South Africa, which can be a dangerous place in certain parts. “If the opportunity ever came up, I’d be delighted to play for Scotland. It’s something I’ve always said and it would be an honour. “If the chance to play for Scotland came up, it is something I wouldn’t hesitate to take.” Jacobs has already represented his adopted country on the cricket field but it is on the football field where he found his niche and he hopes he can do enough to catch Scots under-21 boss Billy Stark’s eye and earn a chance. He continued: “I represented Scotland at cricket at both under-13 and under-15 levels but when it came down to a choice between the sports, I was always going to choose football. “My upbringing in Scotland has been wonderful and most of my memories are of here. I have a Dutch passport at the moment and don’t have a British one but the only reason I don’t is money, to be honest. “But I’d get one in a heartbeat if I had the chance to play for Scotland at any level.” Having broken into the Lions top team scene under former boss Mark Proctor in early 2008 Keaghan has flitted in and out of the team. But now he has become a permanent fixture under Gary Bollan at the heart of the midfield. It is well known that Keaghan is the eldest of four siblings on the books of the Lions, with triplets Sheldon, Kyle and Devon keen to follow their brother and become first-team regulars. Kyle has broken through in the past four weeks, starring at right-back, leaving Sheldon and recently re-signed Devon hoping for their own breakthrough. And Keaghan admits he is thrilled at seeing his little brother get his chance amongst the big boys. He continued: “It’s been good to see Kyle step up to the first team this season and, having played alongside him at under-19 level already, we know each other’s game quite well. “He will play anywhere he is asked to and is such a versatile player. “I’m like that, too, and although I’ve played in a few positions this season, I’m more than happy to continue to do so for the team.” Keaghan’s all-action displays have kept experienced pair Joe Hamill and Tony McParland, ex-Hearts and Celtic respectively, on the bench and Jacobs admits to being buoyed by the faith shown in him by Bollan. “It is a great confidence booster as they are both great players and two guys who were among our best players in the First Division last season,” admitted Jacobs. “This is my most consecutive run of starts for the first team and, if I keep working hard at my game, hopefully, I can stay in the team. “I’ve no doubt we have the talent and ability to go on and win the league this season and I’d love to be a part of that.” If selected, the midfield maverick will be strutting his stuff at Hampden on Saturday as Livingston meet Queen’s Park in the second round of the Active Nation Scottish Cup. If given the nod, it could be the first of many future appearances at Scotland’s national stadium – if the youngster’s dark blue dream comes true. | 
