I AGREE with Alex Salmond.

When it comes to the big decision Scots will face next year, the First Minister has got it right.

Yes, I too will be wishing our neighbours England the best of luck in the World Cup next summer.

David Cameron was having an, albeit tongue in cheek, poke at Mr Salmond and the SNP when he suggested everyone in the UK should support the England team in Brazil.

Would the First Minister be drawn into an anti-English statement to stoke tensions between Scotland and England before the referendum? Of course not.

Last year's Olympics is credited with providing the pro union vote a boost as Team GB spirit swept the nation and Scots like Chris Hoy and Andy Murray won Gold for Britain.

Will the prospect of another global sporting event, but this time with no Scottish participation, have any effect on the referendum?

Will Scots be so sick fed up of English football media hype and memories of 1966 that it will have us rushing to tick yes in September?

Following the World Cup, the Commonwealth Games will give Scots the chance to back their sporting stars on home soil.

Will the Games have us bursting with national pride to give the independence cause a boost?

I have to say I doubt it.

The Olympics may have increased people's awareness of their Britishness, and next summer's events will probably do the same for Scottishness, but it shouldn't have a significant impact on the referendum.

And that's why, while he's not above a bit of flag waving at Wimbledon, Alex Salmond has been smart enough to say he is comfortable wishing England well in major tournaments.

In doing so he is attempting to present a grown up, mature vision of a Scotland not obsessed with England and jealous of its size and sometimes sporting superiority.

There is nothing to gain from joining an Anyone But England bandwagon that is bursting at the seams already.

Although, many others have still to come round to his way of thinking on that score.

He knows the referendum will be decided on more important issues than the colour of a football shirt or athletics vest.

Next summer the sporting calendar will provide opportunities for Scots to show support for their national team and for those who choose to, to jeer England.

But come September the decision has to be made free of sporting allegiances.

Next summer we are all free to support whoever we want, but let's ensure we keep our eye on the ball and not allow a sporting spectacle to influence our decision one way or another.

If I may borrow from Bill Shankly, 'It's more important than that.'