Oh Flower of La Reunion!

gord · 18th February 2004, 11:48 PM

The debate about allowing players with a British passport to play for the National team is getting bigger. After watching tonights performance against Wales, there is no doubt in my mind that the foreigners would do a better job, and form a stronger squad. But does that make it right? Take a look at the opening game of the last world cup finals, France vs Senegal. France fielded several Senegales born players in their team. The French fans didn't seem to complain when they were winning championships left right and centre.

Arsene Wegner, the Arsenal manager, was once asked why he thought France has so much raw footballing talent. "The british just conquered the wrong islands" he replied.

So would the Scottish public accept the likes of Didier Agathe, the Celtic winger, into the tartan army? Well, he has spent five years living in this country, working in this country, and paying taxes in this country. When you look at the current Scotland line-up, there are several players who were born and have lived all their life south of Hadrian's Wall. Indeed, there are many Scotland legends who were born elsewhere. Richard Gough was born in Sweden and raised in South Africa, Andy Goram and Stuart McCall were both born in England and speak with English accents, yet are Scotland legends. So does that make the inclusion of Agathe in any future squads such a scandal?

When you ask a player to represent their country, it is the greatest honour that can be bestowed upon them. Agathe has so far been overlooked by France, so would he be settling for second best by playing for Scotland? And would he be as dedicated to the national cause as say, Paul Lambert or Barry Ferguson?

Several years ago the Rangers midfielder Jorg Albertz said he felt more Scottish than German, and under the rules, he'd have been eligible to play with a lion rampant on his chest. I don't think many Scotland fans could argue that he was an exceptional player, and would add something to the Scotland squad.

What does everybody think? Should the likes of Agathe, Stefan Klos and Lorenzo Amoruso be considered for selection? Considering we have a foreign manager, where is the line drawn?

Rosco the magnificent · 19th February 2004, 12:47 AM

The answer has to be no. I mean, you can take it to an extent (like the Gough example), but people like Agathe? He's got no British relations whatsoever. If i lived in Ethiopia for 5 years, would that make me Ethiopian? NOOOOO!!! However, i'm willing to make an exception for Klos consdiering how Douglas played tonight

18th February 2004, 11:48 PM	#1 (permalink)
gord of the rings Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Dundee Posts: 2,728	Oh Flower of La Reunion! The debate about allowing players with a British passport to play for the National team is getting bigger. After watching tonights performance against Wales, there is no doubt in my mind that the foreigners would do a better job, and form a stronger squad. But does that make it right? Take a look at the opening game of the last world cup finals, France vs Senegal. France fielded several Senegales born players in their team. The French fans didn't seem to complain when they were winning championships left right and centre. Arsene Wegner, the Arsenal manager, was once asked why he thought France has so much raw footballing talent. "The british just conquered the wrong islands" he replied. So would the Scottish public accept the likes of Didier Agathe, the Celtic winger, into the tartan army? Well, he has spent five years living in this country, working in this country, and paying taxes in this country. When you look at the current Scotland line-up, there are several players who were born and have lived all their life south of Hadrian's Wall. Indeed, there are many Scotland legends who were born elsewhere. Richard Gough was born in Sweden and raised in South Africa, Andy Goram and Stuart McCall were both born in England and speak with English accents, yet are Scotland legends. So does that make the inclusion of Agathe in any future squads such a scandal? When you ask a player to represent their country, it is the greatest honour that can be bestowed upon them. Agathe has so far been overlooked by France, so would he be settling for second best by playing for Scotland? And would he be as dedicated to the national cause as say, Paul Lambert or Barry Ferguson? Several years ago the Rangers midfielder Jorg Albertz said he felt more Scottish than German, and under the rules, he'd have been eligible to play with a lion rampant on his chest. I don't think many Scotland fans could argue that he was an exceptional player, and would add something to the Scotland squad. What does everybody think? Should the likes of Agathe, Stefan Klos and Lorenzo Amoruso be considered for selection? Considering we have a foreign manager, where is the line drawn?

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19th February 2004, 12:47 AM	#2 (permalink)
Rosco the magnificent ping-pong Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Lenzieshire (for a little while) Posts: 4,143 Band: My Own Religion	The answer has to be no. I mean, you can take it to an extent (like the Gough example), but people like Agathe? He's got no British relations whatsoever. If i lived in Ethiopia for 5 years, would that make me Ethiopian? NOOOOO!!! However, i'm willing to make an exception for Klos consdiering how Douglas played tonight