The Scot dreaming of a World Cup with New Zealand
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.
"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.
"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."
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."
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.
"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.
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."
