Scottish FA chief executive Gordon Smith has given the green light for former England Under-21 Andrew Driver to switch nationalities to play for Scotland.

The 21-year-old Hearts winger can now be considered for selection by George Burley after Fifa ratifications to the eligibility rules mean that players must only have schooled in the country for five years as well as holding a British passport.

The decision has brought criticism from quarters who argue that national identity may be eroded, but Smith insists that won’t be the case and argues that other countries have benefited from similar situations.

"Andrew's name has come up,” said Smith. “I don't think this will diminish the national team at all.

“You look around other nationalities just now and the names playing for other countries, you can tell they're not naturally from that country.

“Eduardo is playing for Croatia and he's Brazilian. We haven't gone down that line yet.

“We've been stronger in terms of our national linkage but this was to make things more inclusive.

“There's a lot of people who come here to live permanently and their kids are brought up here. They do feel very Scottish.”