Wanderers manager Owen Coyle would be denied a vote in his home country if Scotland won its independence, the House of Lords has heard.

Baroness Ann Taylor of Bolton, a former Labour MP for Bolton West, told Parliament Coyle had “done Scotland proud” in the wake of Fabrice Muamba’s collapse at White Hart Lane.

She also asked the House of Lords to send its best wishes to the Wanderers’ star.

Baroness Taylor said: “In the debates on the two previous devolution referendums, there were many references to football, which seems to come up in all these debates.

“It was very interesting that in 1979, it seemed to be the Kenny Dalglish question. Would he be allowed a vote?

“In 1997, it was whether Gary McAllister would be allowed one.

“Today, Scottish players are no longer predominant in English football, so we have to rely on asking whether certain managers could have a vote.

My choice would be the manager of my English football team, Bolton Wanderers, namely Owen Coyle, who has distinguished himself in recent days following the frightening collapse of Fabrice Muamba at White Hart Lane on Saturday.

“That is a really good example of a Scotsman who has done everyone proud, and I am sure we all send Fabrice Muamba every good wish for his recovery.”

Lord Mike Watson of Invergowrie later reminded the House of Lords that although Mr Coyle is a Scot, he had played football for the Republic of Ireland.

He added: “The interesting thing is that Owen Coyle, born and bred in Glasgow, played for the Republic of Ireland.

“It is not just as simple as saying, ‘He is a Scot, living in England and therefore he should have a vote’. He has played for the country of his parents because they were Irish.

Various issues muddy the water here.”