It's Hampden v Holyrood over Novo

Rangers' Spanish striker, who has been resident in Scotland since 2001, has confirmed he would consider representing his adopted home on the international stage if the SFA was to officially express an interest in him.

Under Fifa rules, Novo would be able to play for Scotland, England, Wales or Northern Ireland if he applied for UK citizenship and obtained a British passport.

In 1993, the four home nations reached a gentleman's agreement that they would not utilise the passport ruling and would look no further than a grandparent's bloodline in selecting players for their squads. That agreement was ratified again in 2004, following suggestions Celtic winger Didier Agathe may play for Scotland.

Speaking at Hampden yesterday, Peat insisted that remains the SFA's stance and firmly expressed his opposition to the prospect of Novo playing for Scotland. He did, however, say the final decision would rest with manager George Burley.

But Maxwell, also at Hampden to make the third round draw for the Homecoming Scottish Cup, believes anyone who obtains citizenship should be allowed to play for Scotland and described using only a bloodline for criteria as "nonsense".

It appears highly unlikely Novo will find his way into the Scotland squad, with Burley's assistant Terry Butcher weighing in to claim the notion is "absurd", but Maxwell's views underline the possibility of the home nations' agreement being open to challenge. "Anyone who is a citizen of Scotland, whether they are born here, whether their parents or grandparents were born here or whether they have become naturalised citizens should be treated the same way," said the minister.

"I don't believe in that kind of nonsense. I think if you pledge your allegiance to Scotland, whether it's because you were born here or whether you are a naturalised citizen, that's entirely reasonable."

Peat, however, made it clear he will oppose any move to enlist Novo or any other foreign player who becomes eligible under the terms of the Fifa passport ruling. "I would prefer it to be by bloodline only, without a doubt," said Peat. "Personally I would not go beyond the grandparent bloodline. I certainly wouldn't go down that road.

"I think this has been blown out of proportion.

It would be up to the coach but I think the general view of the SFA would be that we are not interested. I haven't even spoken to George about it."

Butcher, who won 77 caps for England, reacted with barely disguised scorn and claimed selecting players under the criteria required for Novo to play for Scotland would diminish the validity of international football. "Am I missing something here?" said Butcher. "I know this happens in other sports, but in football it's where I draw the line. The rules have been massaged to all the birthplaces of grandparents to count, but that's the furthest they can be stretched.

"I know people will look at me as an English coach of Scotland, but that is another matter entirely and cannot be compared to playing for your nation. To have obvious non-nationals representing a country is absurd. It would make international football the ultimate fantasy league. It's demeaning."

Maxwell accepts the right of the footballing authorities to determine the legislation for selection, but believes it is unreasonable for the sport to present barriers which do not exist in other aspects of life in Scotland.

"It's up to the SFA and the international football bodies to decide what their rules are. But I think in terms of equal access to the rights and responsibilities of being a citizen here in Scotland, everyone should be treated the same way.

"I think we will get a range of views from the Tartan Army. Obviously it's very important we get a Scottish team which is committed to the cause, people who are out there fighting for the jersey and for their country. I just believe that everyone who is a Scottish citizen has equal rights and that should apply in all aspects of life."

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