Two of Celtic Lennon's side have already expressed their desire to compete for Team GB – Gary Hooper and James Forrest – but the Northern Irishman is not in favour of them taking part.

"I'm not a lover of the idea of a Team GB to begin with," he said.

"I think there are enough football competitions for players to worry about without bringing the Olympic Games into it.

"But that's just my opinion.

"I would have a concern if I lost any of my players at a time when we might be required to play European ties.

"If there was any question of the two competitions overlapping then I'd be even more reluctant to let someone like James go to the Olympics."

His words echo those of the Arsenal manager, Arsene Wenger, who has expressed his anger at the prospect of losing players to both the European Championships and the Olympic Games in the same summer.

For Celtic the issue is even more contentious as they could be involved in European qualifiers from the start of August, though the same is true for Rangers.

Celtic will face a battle to hold onto Hooper and Forrest if selected to play at London 2012, with the latter this week expressing his desire to play in the Olympics if given the chance, and to possibly compete alongside the likes of David Beckham, Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey.

"Team GB looks promising," said the Scottish young player of the month.

"There are a lot of really good players to be mentioned with.

"Any Scottish player picked would have to consider it."

Another one throwing his hat in the ring for Stuart Pearce's squad is the Rangers forward, Steven Naismith (pictured), who has been capped 15 times by Scotland, and who said earlier this week that it "would be great" to play in Team GB.


The player's manager, McCoist, is more open to the participation of his players though, saying they would not have ambition if they did not want to play next summer.

"There is no way I'd be critical of Steven Naismith for having an opinion that I would totally agree with as a player," he said.

"I just cannot see any argument at all against a player wanting to play in the Olympics.

"For the life of me, I don't understand it.

"The only thing we're talking about is does it become a problem in terms of having England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland [for future internationals]?

"I can understand it if it did come to that.

"But I would think a player has a problem if he doesn't want to play in the Olympics because they would have no ambition.

"I would look at it the complete opposite way."

Another Rangers star who has had his say is the Northern Irish midfielder Steven Davis, who says he understands why some are tempted to participate in Team GB.

"I can see the appeal in terms of players wanting to do that because it's a massive stage to go out and try to perform on."

"It is a worldwide competition and a great platform to experience.

"I wouldn't judge anybody who wanted to play in it."

The Welsh, Northern Irish and Scottish Football Associations all oppose the participation of their players in the team as they believe it threatens their independence as football nations and positions within FIFA.

"We have been consistently clear in our position regarding Team GB and, in particular, the threat it poses to our independent membership of FIFA and also our representation on the International Football Association Board," the Scottish FA said.

"A letter was signed by the Scottish FA, Irish FA and Football Association of Wales in 2009 to enable England to represent Team GB - we remain in alignment with those associations.

"It is imperative we preserve our voice at the top table of world football and the supporters are in agreement with our stance."

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


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