The modfather wrote:The irony of it all is he is wanting to repay the country where he gained his fame and fortune.
Unlike a couple of others who decide to turn their backs on the country they come from...
I actually though you were talking about Boyd there til I scrolled down....but that's another debate.
If Novo wants to repay Scotland for giving him fame and fortune he can go and do his coaching badges and teach the kids after he stops playing. As for representing Scotland, then its a no from me.
But there is an interesting debate here on where lines should be drawn on what qualifies you to represent a country. Clearly Novo can represent Scotland if he aquires a UK passport but it should not be a question of citizenship or passports.
If he genuinely feels Scottish then I'm happy for him but coming to Dundee at the age of 21 (?) is too late, considering the average footballers career, to opt to represent Scotland. But, since someone mentioned line drawing I think there is merit for permitting someone who moved to a new country at a VERY early age to represent that country. I'm certainly talking pre-school age, maybe even as early as 3. Clearly a child in this position will have been schooled in that country and will invariably feel more connection with where they were brought up than their birth country or where their parents were from. Maybe it depends on how they were brought up too?
I think that is more of a case than the footballer who moves as part of his job to a new country.
I would also prefer to see the grandparent rule scrapped as it can on occassions cast the net too wide. But, as things stand you can't blame players and associations for using the rules to their advantage.
Ideally, I would like the players that take the field for Scotland to be born here and failing that to have been brought up 'Scottish' by their Scotish parent(s), where ever that may be. Above all, I want to at least imagine that if they weren't on the field they'd be in the stand supporting the team.
If we start to see an increase in this passporting loop hole then International football will be devalued and probably die.