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GORDON STRACHAN has called for a ‘radical’ rethink of the ‘grey’ Scottish game once the country emerges from the coronavirus crisis.
The former Scotland manager insists the reconstruction plans currently being floated do not go far enough if football north of the border is to enjoy a bright future.
The 63-year-old is convinced some lower-league clubs will have to be sacrificed if they do not prove willing to show ambition. And he is adamant that only by improving the ‘product’ will enough money be attracted to elevate the game.
Insisting reconstruction has to improve the finances, the product and player development, he said: “You’ve got this opportunity and it’s time to reflect on what’s been going on for 40 years and where we want to go.
“Maybe not do the real radical stuff just now, but put something in place that allows you to go really radical when we know where we are, rather than panic at this time.
“We sort something out for the next year or 18 months and then we have a real look at it. We have an opportunity to really think outside the box at this time. You shouldn’t make daft devisions in a crisis time, you’ve got to see the crisis out and then say, ‘what do you want?’.
“You have to give a good product and if you think a good product is watching two teams in the bottom half of the Scottish Premiership playing on a plastic pitch you’re kidding yourself, absolutely kidding yourself.
“Do we really want to go back to the football we’ve been watching or the platform its being played on? Where, on a Sunday, you’ve got Man United versus Tottenham, ooh, brilliant, Derby versus Leeds, ooh, is that Livingston versus Ross County I’m watching?
“There has to be a rethink on what product you’re showing the rest of the world.
“When the product’s better you’ll get more sponsors, you’ll get people coming into the game and investing.”
JOHN Jeffrey has been appointed interim chairman of the Scottish Rugby Union to replace Colin Grassie, who is stepping down as chairman.
Grassie joined the SRU board in 2012 and became chairman in January 2017.
“I leave with great pride and gratitude to my fellow Board members past and present and acknowledge the hard work of all our staff and volunteers, who do so much to support our great game,” he said.
“With JJ’s knowledge of the game, and wealth of experience at Six Nations and World
Rugby, the Scottish Rugby Board will be very well served.”
Jeffrey, a dynamic flanker who won 40 Scotland caps between 1984-1991, said: “Our sport faces significant challenges just now and I hope I can put my experience to good use for the benefit of Scottish Rugby and the whole rugby community in Scotland.”
Scottish Rugby president Dee Bradbury added: “I’d like to firstly thank Colin Grassie for his contribution to Scottish
Rugby over the past eight years, especially during his time as chairman.
“We are fortunate to welcome as our new Chairman John Jeffrey, who will bring his own significant experience and knowledge to the role. He joins at a challenging time for our sport but I know he will be an asset to the Board and Scottish rugby in the months ahead.”