Worthington has admitted that he understood why players from Northern Ireland, who have not qualified for a major tournament since the 1986 FIFA World Cup, would want to play in the Olympics.

Worthington, has was capped 66 times by Nothern Ireland and has been the country's manager since 2007, does not believe that if they make that choice that it should affect their international careers.

"The players will have their own views on whether they want to be involved in a GB team at the Olympics and whatever their view is should have no impact on their international careers," Worthington told the Belfast Telegraph.

"I can understand players wanting to play in an Olympics and they should not be criticised for that but I also understand the position taken by the Irish FA.

"It is not an issue that I am really involved in as it's a matter for the Associations and they have made their positions clear.

"As an international manager I would have no problem with players wanting to be involved."

The Scottish Football Association, meanwhile, have been rocked by Hutton (pictured) and Wylde, who both play for Glasgow Rangers, admitting that they would be happy to be part of Team GB in 2012.


"I wouldn't mind to be honest," said 20-year-old Wlyde, a midfield player who has represented Scotland at under-19 and under-21 level.

"I haven't been called up to the Scotland squad yet and hopefully if I play this season I will be called up.

"But if I do get called up to the Team GB team it would be good for me and my career ahead."

Hutton, who is also 20 and played for Scotland at under-19 and under-21 levels, also signalled his interest in playing in the Olympics.

"I feel the same," he said.

"Obviously if the chance came along to be picked for Team GB it would be a great achievement for me.

"It is the whole event, everybody knows about it [the Olympics]."

Sport and Olympics Minister Hugh Robertson has backed the British Olympic Association (BOA) and any non-English Briton who wants to play in the side.

"f I am honest, I wasn't particularly surprised by [the furore] because it has been a contentious issue for a while now," he said.

"My message to everybody is really a very simple one in all of this.

"I understand the politics, I understand the sensibilities, but please, please, please let's put the politics aside and concentrate on the athletes.

"For any young man or woman, whether they are English, Scottish, Welsh or Northern Irish, what this is about is the ability to represent their country in a home Olympics."

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