Marcos Senna has voiced his support for Nacho Novo in his bid to become a Scotland international.
Adopted Spaniard highlights the positives of dual nationalities
Villarreal midfielder Marcos Senna has voiced his support for Nacho Novo in his bid to become a Scotland international.
The 32-year-old was in the same position before the 2006 World Cup when then Spain manager Luis Aragones approached the un-capped Brazilian to play for his side having spent five years in Spain.
He told the
Daily Record: "Spain opened its doors to me and my family. My son Pedro Henrique was born here and my wife Elisa also has Spanish nationality. Why should I not pay back the people with my commitment to the national team?
"However it was important the national coach Luis Aragones approached me with members of the Spanish Federation."
Senna has been a huge success for his adopted nation and played a key role in Aragones' side winning the European Championships in the summer. The midfielder feels that Novo should be given the same chance for Scotland.
He said: "He can help Scotland the way I helped Spain. We are not committing a crime by playing for another country.
"The crime would be to refuse to allow the player to turn out for his adopted country - I'd consider that a waste because the relationship can be mutually beneficial.
"As long as you respect people and play with the same passion as others I don't see the problem. This is the age of the globalisation and the European Community."
"I am one of the examples that proves this situation can be dealt with easily without hurting anyone of entering into debates about politics and nationalism."
Exclude
Despite SFA president George Peat and assistant manager Terry Butcher confirming that they would disagree with calling Novo up to a Scotland squad, manager George Burley has refused to rule it out.
He said: "Times have changed but I think you have got to be very careful. I think it would be wrong to exclude someone if you haven't got a Scottish parent.
"Every case is different, because naturally you are looking for Scottish players."
Burley declared that the one reason which could rule the Spaniard out of contention is the more simple fact that he is not a regular for Rangers.
He said: "I saw him in Europe a lot last season, but then again, he is not a regular for Rangers. You are always looking and it's up to the player concerned.
"My criteria are, are they playing regularly, how are they performing, are they outstanding? Is he desperate to play for the country? There are a lot of things to look at."
However a call-up for Novo looks unlikely with so much opposition, as Burley indicates.
He added: "I'm sure Scottish fans want people who are desperate to play for their country. We have important games coming up in the World Cup campaign and we are only focused on that."
