Northern Ireland soccer manager Nigel Worthington is trying to pressurise Manchester United prospect Darron Gibson to stop playing for the Republic in favour of the Six Counties.

19-year-old Darron is from Derry. He represented Northern Ireland at Under-16 level but then opted for the Republic as he has an Irish passport.

"I have spoken to him and emphasised how much I want him to be involved with Northern Ireland," said Worthington. In a highly contentious statement, Worthington told the Sunday Life he felt Gibson should play for the country of his birth. "I want him involved with Northern Ireland and it is a situation which has to be resolved."

Gibson has not played for the Republic of Ireland at senior level although he was a non-playing substitute for a Euro 2008 qualifier against San Marino. The Irish FA, which governs football in Northern Ireland, is awaiting a Fifa ruling on Gibson's eligibility.

The hope must be that Gibson resists this pressure to make him play for Northern Ireland. Any player born in the North who considers himself Irish can play for the Republic. It is enshrined in the Good Friday Agreement that being born on the island of Ireland entitles you to Irish citizenship. You can't force anyone to play for a team they have no commitment to.

Moreover, the sooner we move to having a single Irish soccer team representing the whole country the better.