Q. What is your overall assessment of the UEFA Euro 2012 Qualification campaign?
A. Firstly, I share Craig’s disappointment at not reaching the play-offs but I defy anyone to look at the squad we have now, compare it to the early period of Craig’s tenure, and say we have not made considerable progress. Throughout the campaign, we have developed not just in terms of personnel but in identifying a style of play that works.
Q. Have you spoken to the manager since last night’s defeat to Spain?
A. I always make a point of wishing the manager the best of luck before a game and speaking to him afterwards. It is important that he knows he has the full support of myself and everyone at the Scottish FA.
Both myself, Campbell Ogilvie and Mark Wotte agreed that we lost to a formidable and near- invincible Spanish team. What was encouraging was seeing David Goodwillie score his first goal, and Scotland creating several chances against the world champions.
What was equally encouraging was the support, not just in Spain but throughout the campaign. Their passion and dedication is incredible and their continued encouragement will be essential to any future success.
Q. What happens now?
A. It is simple. We reflect on the campaign as a whole and prepare for the FIFA World Cup 2014 qualifying campaign. On a personal level, I am hugely impressed by the work being carried out by Craig and anyone who speaks to the players in the squad will realise just how big an impact he has made on a team that, frankly, was in disarray before he took over.
The players believe in what he wants to achieve and the performances and results are continuing to improve. I’ve mentioned Goodwillie but you can also look at the impact Barry Bannan, Charlie Adam, Phil Bardsley and now Craig Mackail-Smith are making: these players have all come to prominence under Craig Levein. He is dedicated to taking this team forward and qualifying for the World Cup in Brazil in 2014.
Q. How important are all our national teams’ performances to the success of the Performance Strategy?
A. Everyone in Scotland wants to see our national teams competing against the best in the world and reaching tournament finals. I am hugely excited by the strides made by the women’s A squad under Anna Signeul – to defeat Israel 6-1 away from home is a terrific achievement – and, along with Glasgow City’s success in the Champions League, women’s football is a real success story in Scottish football.
Billy Stark’s under-21s have made a solid start to their Euro qualification campaign and he is a hugely respected and experienced coach who is essential in our efforts to produce a pipeline of talent.
Also, the appointment of Ricky Sbragia, who has a great coaching pedigree at Manchester United, Bolton and Middlesbrough, shows our commitment to elite youth development. We are committed through our strategy to improving skills at all age levels, promoting Best v Best and to ensuring that our children have access to the best coaching and best facilities to achieve the recognised ‘gold standard’ of 10,000 hours of quality practice.
Q. How difficult it is to balance long-term vision with short-term objectives?
A. I have a phrase that I always use which addresses this question: if you always do what you’ve always done, you always get what you’ve always got. We have now failed to qualify for a major tournament for 14 years, so the issues run deeper than churning managers every campaign. We need to change the fundamentals and have a greater emphasis on talent identification and nurturing at the earliest ages possible.
Look at Spain: their brilliance looks effortless but years of investment in these players – both in finance and coaching – has been spent and the hard work is paying off. The appointment of Mark Wotte is the first step towards putting that system in place in Scotland. The key to a successful international team, and a conveyor belt of talent, starts with the right youth system and everyone pulling in the same direction.
I believe the strategic plan is the right way forward and we need everyone - supporters, clubs, players, coaches and the media – to support the objectives.
Q. How do you reflect on the first year as chief executive?
A. It has certainly been an eventful one but I firmly believe we are in a stronger place now. We have a new governance model I am sure most people believe is suited to our needs in the 21st century. Also, the changes to the disciplinary processes have been a huge undertaking. Whether people believe the outcomes are right or wrong, it is important to understand that it is a fairer, more independent and more transparent system.
There are huge and exciting challenges ahead and the next big priority is resolving the impasse on league reconstruction. My views are clear and I am confident that agreement will be reached between the Scottish FA, Scottish Premier League and Scottish Football League to take the game forward.