The Rangers striker would qualify for selection if he applied for a British passport after spending eight years in the country.

And he has revealed he would be willing to switch allegiance from Spain to Scotland if approached by the Scottish Football Association.

SFA president George Peat has already voiced his opposition and George Burley's right-hand man also ridiculed the idea of Novo representing his adopted nation.

Singapore-born Butcher said: "This whole idea first surfaced with Arsenal's Spanish goalkeeper Manuel Almunia expressing a desire to turn out for England.

"Then Novo said he would be 'very interested in playing for Scotland' should the SFA give him a call. Am I missing something here?

"I know this procedure occurs in other sports but for football I'd draw the line at this.

"The rules have been massaged to allow the birthplaces of parents and grandparents to count but that is the furthest they should be stretched.

"I know people will look at me as an Englishman coaching 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 football the ultimate Fantasy League. It's demeaning."