America says No.

So does Canada and Australia, Spain and Russia. France - despite saying nothing in public - has made no secret of its concerns if its long-term strategic ally, the UK, is weakened by independence.

But there is one great power whose silence on the Scottish question is deafening: Germany. The EU's economic and political powerhouse could yet play a crucial role in Scotland's history if there is a Yes vote. After all, Berlin - assiduously courted by the SNP and its German-speaking Westminster leader Angus Robertson - has the diplomatic oomph to help ease an indy Scotland back in to key institutions, such as the EU and Nato. If, that is, it has the mind to use its influence.

Germany's indyref neutrality - in many ways as significant as America's hostility - is summed up in the attitude of David McAllister, the half-Scottish politician who was once tipped as a successor to Chancellor Angela Merkel. The Conservative CDU politician - once prime minister of Lower Saxony and now an MEP - has spoken to Herald sports writer Graeme MacPherson ahead of the Scotland v Germany game this Sunday. The politician - and football fan - drifted away from the big match. What he said, I think, gives as good an idea of German attitudes to our country as you will see anywhere. Read them in full below:

Are you a Yes or a No?

McAllister: "I'm not going to get involved in the referendum as it is not for me to say. On this matter I am completely neutral. I've got my own opinions but why I should get involved? I can't decide the question, the people in Scotland will do that. I strongly believe in democracy and so whatever happens the decision should be respected."

What do you make of the referendum debate - and how is it covered in Germany?

McAllister: "When I was in Scotland last month the first TV debate between the First Minister and Alastair Darling was on so I watched that. For a German and someone interested in politics it was interesting to see what the atmosphere was like in and around Glasgow.

"The referendum is getting a lot of attention in Germany, it's in all the papers and they've published a lot of big articles in it. It's been on the TV and radio news as well.

"There aren't many politicians in Germany with a Scottish background - I think I might be the only one - so I'm always asked about it. I always say it is a question which the people in Scotland will answer. I'm not going to comment on it as a German politician.

"The governments in London and Edinburgh have made up their mind that they want this referendum so it's now up to the people to decide. I usually try to explain the positions of both the Yes and No campaign to a German audience.

"I think most people can understand it, especially as there have been several, in-depth newspaper articles on the subject in German newspapers. I try to present the issue in a balanced manner.

What links does you have with Scottish politics?

McAllister: "When I was still prime minister of Lower Saxony and met politicians from the SNP and the Conservative Party. I'm very interested in Scottish politics. I've done a lot of reading about Scottish history. After all, when you're asked about Scotland almost every week you better know what you're talking about!"

What do Germans think of Scots?

McAllister: "I gave a speech a few months ago at the Caledonian Club in London about how the Germans view Scotland.

"In general the Germans have a very positive picture of Scotland. There are around 300,000 Germans visit Scotland every year. Usually when they come back home they are so excited.

"People I know always rush to tell me how much they love the country. The average German when he thinks of Scotland will come up with the usual things; kilts, bagpipes, and whisky.

"Braveheart is repeated on Germany television at least twice a year. So it's a positive picture.

"Those Germans who get more interested in Scotland are often surprised by how many Scots have contributed to the development to our world; David Hume and The Enlightenment, John Knox and The Reformation, Alexander Graham Bell, John Logie Baird and others. Germans are deeply impressed by that.

"They don't tend to differentiate between Scots and Englishmen, they see them as British. But when they get detailed information about Scottish achievements, that impresses them.

"A lot of Germans are also not aware just how much Scottish culture influenced composers and authors. Sir Walter Scott had a huge impact on German literature of the 19th century. Theodor Fontane, one of the most important German novelists of that time, actually went to Scotland and wrote a widely-read travel report in 1860 called "Jenseit des Tweed" - the other side of the River Tweed. He coined this romantic picture of Scotland. I remember quoting in my speech a professor from Glasgow University who noted that Germans' positive view of Scotland and the Scottish people has a lot to do with literature from the 19th century."

McAllister also had a lot to say about the game. But I'm afraid you will have to wait to see The Herald's sports section on Saturday 6, 2014, for Graeme MacPherson's full interview. The Germany-Scotland match is in Dortmund on Sunday, Saturday 7.