Novo switch a no-no says SFA president

Selecting Rangers striker Nacho Novo for Scotland would 'devalue' the national side, according to George Peat, the president of the Scottish Football Association.

The Spaniard has expressed an interest in representing Scotland, having been based in the country since joining Raith Rovers eight years ago.

Last week the SFA said there was nothing to prevent the Scotland manager George Burley from picking Novo, 29, if he obtained British citizenship.

But Peat was unhappy at the prospect of Novo playing a part in Scotland's bid to qualify for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

“As far as I'm concerned, the bloodline position going as far back as grandparents is quite enough and it shouldn't go beyond that,” he said Monday.

“The way the rules are set just now, one could do it, but certainly I wouldn't agree with it.

“I think it devalues international football and I certainly wouldn't like to go down that route.”

Poland and Croatia, who both qualified for Euro 2008, have selected naturalised Brazilians but Peat was adamant that Scotland had no need to do anything similar to boost their chances of qualifying for a first major tournament since the 1998 World Cup finals in France.

“It's not a case that we would have to, I just think it's a principle we should stick by,” he added. “I hope that's the way it would remain.”

Novo, speaking before Peat made his comments, said: “I understand why people say that, to play for Scotland, you must be born in Scotland.

“I agree with that and I'm not trying to make trouble. But I've been asked the question and I've answered it. I would be happy to play for Scotland.”

And he added: “I would give everything for the team, as I have done for any side I've played for.”

However, Burley's reluctance to pick players who are not making regular starts for their club side may count against Novo, who has scored two goals and made three starts so far this season.

Kris Boyd, Novo's Rangers team-mate, who has six goals from seven starts this term, was so enraged by being left on the bench for the whole of Scotland's recent goalless World Cup qualifying draw with Norway, he vowed never to play for the national side so long as Burley was the manager.

But Scottish sports minister Stewart Maxwell, a member of the Scottish National Party which has been in charge of the country's devolved government since last year, said:

“It's a matter for the authorities to decide who gets picked but, clearly, anyone who has citizenship here is entitled to be picked.

“Everyone, whether they are born here or adopt Scotland as their home, should be treated the same.”