Hopes will be raised about Team GB fielding a football side at the Tokyo Olympics by Scotland not standing in the way of any of their players who want to be involved.

Team GB officials voiced their disappointment after winning 67 medals in Rio that GB football didn't have a chance of adding to the record-breaking haul of gongs because of huge opposition amongst the three other home countries to a combined team.

They mainly fear it would affect their football independence at other major tournaments despite numerous assurances from FIFA to the contrary.

Great Britain fielded a combined home nations side at the London Olympics in 2012

Daniel Sturridge celebrates scoring against Uruguay - while Scotland have said they would not try and stop players who wanted to be part of Team GB at the Tokyo Games in 2020

Wales and Northern Ireland remain wholly against such a move but Scotland have left the door to Tokyo ajar by the Scottish FA being prepared to supply footballers for both a men's and women's team.

Scottish FA chief executive Stewart Regan said: 'We would never endorse a Team GB side because the Scottish public will always want to be represented by Scotland. But if any individuals would like to play, then we wouldn't attempt to stop them.'

With other home nations not agreeing, a Team GB women's team is still the more likely

Neymar (right) and Gabriel Jesus celebrate after winning Brazil's first football gold

However the FA of Wales and the Irish FA, despite having England chief executives Jonathan Ford and Patrick Nelson respectively, show no sign whatsoever of changing their stance, especially after Wales massively raised their European profile by reaching the semi-final of France 2016.

BOA chief executive Bill Sweeney intends to do what he can to have two Team GB football teams on the plane to Tokyo.