Not So "Great Britain" XI

Whether in the office, down the pub, or amongst fellow players, there have always been discussions about which players would make up a Great Britain football team. Over the past fifteen years or so, the result of that debate would almost certainly have been 'England plus Giggs'. England have always enjoyed better personnel across the park, but with a failing down that problem left side since time began. Ryan Giggs was considered to be that perfect missing link in several of our recent England teams... but he would not have been enough to make up for recent performances.

That aside, with the (poorly scheduled) International week here, and with rumours circulating about a Great Britain side to perform at the 2012 Olympics, On-Football considers the 'best of the rest' from Great Britain.

Northern Ireland

David Healy - The best of Northen Ireland is quite a talent, scoring a record number of goals in the European Championship Qualifiers... in a team that didn't qualify. Healy developed his skills in the Manchester United Youth Team, but since then has been unable to prove himself at club level. A proven International goalscorer... but he just isn't good enough.

Scotland

Craig Gordon - Gordon became the Premier League's most expensive goalkeeper when he joined Sunderland last season, and impressed, helping to keep Sunderland afloat. With goalkeepers being a problem position for England at the moment, Gordon could well fancy proving himself to be the best British keeper, and at Sunderland he is sure to get plenty of practice.

Alan Hutton - Talking of problem positions, when the England set-up finally recognises that Gary Neville's England time is over, and Wes Brown is not good enough, they will be fortunate to have the talents of Glen Johnson and Micah Richards. However Alan Hutton quickly demonstrated what he has to offer when he joined Tottenham Hotspur half way through last season.

Darren Fletcher - Not good enough to oust the exceptional talent of England's central midfield, but a very good Premier League midfielder nonetheless. Fletcher will almost certainly have to leave Old Trafford to prove his worth with regular first team football, but if the Great Britain team was created using a quota, you would not be too disappointed with Fletcher representing Scotland.

Wales

Gareth Bale - It would be tempting to still consider Ryan Giggs for old times sake, but with Gareth Bale there is a new Welsh talent to fill that left midfield role. Bale had been somewhat of a revelation at Southampton. When everyone was expecting such great things from Theo Walcott after his move to Arsenal, Southampton had managed to unearth another gem, which Tottenham Hotspur were quick to get hold of. Capable at left-back and left-midfield, Bale would definitely have been an option for the problem left side if he'd been English.

Aaron Ramsey - Okay, he's had no chance to prove himself yet, and outside of Cardiff is somewhat of an unknown entity, but so far it has not been considered that the sides entered into the Olympics are Under 23 sides, and for the 2012 Olympics Ramsey will have had 4 years at Arsenal under Arsene Wenger's tutelage. If Great Britain is able to enter a team for the London Olympics, and the Welsh FA take part, I fully expect Ramsey to be there.