So should Northern Ireland drop the National Anthem? After I researched the views of the up-and-coming generation of footballers, I found the results were hardly surprising.

Predictably, there’s one view that thinks the move could bring a few more Catholics back to international matches at Windsor Park.

But on the other hand it has become clear there would be a significant number of dissenters among the fans who have supported us through thick and thin.

The research I’ve done points to a conclusion I had foreseen all along — there is no point, no benefit, when it comes to bridging the yawning gap in society here.

>>Ten alternatives to God Save The Queen<<

And there is no doubt in my mind that some supporters, just how many is difficult to quantify, would be lost to the cause.

Those from backgrounds where political views are more extreme will never be persuaded, certainly not in the short term.

Not even the introduction of a second local anthem, an idea similar to that of the Irish Rugby set-up, would work, simply because God Save The Queen would still be played. And sadly there are those who would not tolerate it. All I can say to them is ‘good luck’.

To those who leaned to the Republic I simply said: “If in your heart you don’t really want to play for Northern Ireland then I wish you well.”

I’ll continue to do what I can to make sure those who might have felt ignored feel part of the Northern Ireland family.