It's not as if he doesn't have Scottish blood though. If it was something that he always thought he might explore as a kid/young professional, possibly due to a closeness to the said family member and their culture/heritage then I don't see the problem. If he would play just for international caps then I'd be against that. But perhaps I'm more liberal to the idea, being half Scottish/English.
I can feel a history lesson coming on... Your argument for national representation is a little twee, SuperC. Surely you cannot advocate someone changing their sporting nationality because they feel close to a nation and happen to favour tartan underpants? And don't get me started on that Somalian dude who won some running races during the Olympic thingygummy!
Zola Budd..... she was british wasn't she? she didn't have ulterior motives for running in a GB shirt did she?
But he has Scottish blood in him - and thus deemed part Scottish. It's not as if he is eligible through playing in Scotland for 5 years. I think the argument is pretty redundant in terms of Shelvey as its clear that it was paper talk. But I also think there is an argument for people with immediate family being from a nation and thus making you eligible. Should that country mean something to you then I don't see the problem. As a kid I always preferred the thought of representing Scotland rather than England (cue abuse).
I'd rather have Jonjo playing for Scotland than someone like Steven Fletcher who informed the manager by text that he didn't want to play for his country. Really It shouldn't go back any further than your parents, but it does, especially if you look at the English Cricket team. The best Irish side I remember was when Jackie Charlton exploited the grandparents' rule to create a multi-national select. After some of the dire football played by Scotland in recent tournaments I'd be quite happy for Craig Levein to to the same.
The Zola Budd situation was a sham, a disgrace and utterly cretinous. The Daily Mail ponces were happy to push for a member of South Africa's political elite, while ignoring those actually fearing for their lives. That is all I will say on the matter... What would you like to know about the Noble Wolf, AllHell? I am happy to form a debate on the subject. If you send me your moots, we can discuss them at length. Funnily enough, I was recently conducting a talk in Burgess Hill when a young lady asked me some rather challenging questions regarding Aethelwulf and the political implications of his issue. I find mind-mapping a useful tool when deliberating such matters!
I think this performance may put this story to bed once and for all - go Jonjo! http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/19508363
I seem to remember Vinnie Jones tried to sneak into one of the Irelands (can't remember if it was the North or the Republic) on the strength of a granny. Gossip says he went over looking for proof but could'nt remember her name! I can remember laughing about the name thing (that Vinnie, what a t**t !) but to be honest, I can't remember the maiden names of anyone in my family past my mum, so I'd be semi stuffed if I wanted to play for England (only semi 'cos my parents were both born in south London!)
To be fair, it's the only way Scotland is ever going to qualify for anything. Trying to take decent future English players whilst they cannot get into the England first team.
