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Weir urges Team GB involvement

Image: Weir: Has represented Scotland on 69 occasions

David Weir believes any player that turns down an invite to represent GB at the Olympics would 'regret it forever'.

Scottish defender wants compatriots to feature at London 2012

Former Scotland captain David Weir believes any player that turns down an invite to represent Great Britain at the Olympics would 'regret it forever'. The Scottish Football Association have distanced themselves from any involvement with Team GB ahead of the London event next summer, fearing it could damage their credibility as a football nation. Weir, 41, insists that is not the view held by the majority of the current Scotland internationals born on or after January 1, 1989, with the GB squad to be largely made up of players aged 23 and under. Each squad, four of which are European, is permitted two over-aged players and those featuring at the European Championship in Poland and Ukraine next summer will be excused.

Encouragement

Rangers defender Weir appreciates he is unlikely to be considered for an over-age role, but has encouraged the younger generation not to pass up a rare opportunity. "I'm all for it, it's a great idea," said Weir. "If I was asked to play - although, let's be honest, that's not really that likely - I wouldn't hesitate for a second. "I think that's a widespread view amongst most (Scottish) players, which isn't that surprising because they'd be very foolish to say no, and I don't think that many will. "The SFA can say what they want, but this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and any player who turned it down would regret it forever. "There may be some pressure to say no but, when players realise that they have an opportunity to win a gold medal at the Olympics, then they'll begin to realise what's at stake, which is the chance to be part of history, to be at the centre of events at an Olympics on home soil."

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