Naismith defends right to play for GB (From The Northern Echo)

Naismith defends right to play for GB

8:00am Thursday 15th December 2011 in International Football News

Scotland international Steven Naismith has defended a player's right to choose to represent Great Britain in the Olympics.

The Rangers forward last week admitted he would be interested in playing for Team GB, although he would need to be one of the three over-23s selected and is in the early stages of rehabilitation from surgery to repair his cruciate ligament.

But, while Naismith does not expect to be involved, he believes any young Scots who are selected should make decisions based on their own interests.

The Scottish Football Association, like their counterparts in Wales and Northern Ireland, are against their players competing amid fears over the national team's independence.

Naismith showed his selfless side yesterday by donating a Christmas lunch to homeless people through Glasgow-based charity Loaves and Fishes, but he reckons players should think for themselves in these circumstances.

The 25-year-old said: "The SFA have their thoughts and that's full credit to them.

"I fully don't expect to be involved but if you're a younger player and totally selfishly looking at football and no other agenda, it's another chance to show the world how good you are.

"Playing in a team with some of the best players in Britain and against some of the best players in the world, as a footballer you would be crazy not to think about it."

When asked if he would be willing to incur the wrath of the Scotland fans to play, Naismith said: "You need to look at everything. My gran was born in England, my dad was born in Wales.

"I had the chance to play for Wales at under-21 level but I chose Scotland because I'm Scottish and proud to be Scottish.

"People just have to look at the facts and weigh up their decision."

The Olympics take place in late July and early August - just when Celtic and Rangers take part in Champions League qualifiers with more than £10million of income ultimately riding on them.

Celtic winger James Forrest, 20, last week revealed he would be interested in Team GB while Rangers manager Ally McCoist backed the idea of Scots taking part.

"The players will then need to weigh up what they want to be involved in and what's best for their careers," Naismith said.

"That's for the players to think about at the specific time, rather than ifs and buts at this time."