The SFA will be losing one of it's most loyal servants in November this year when Ross Mathie retires. His last throw of the dice on their behalf will be Victory Shield international against England which will bring to a close a 30-year association with the National Youth Teams. Mathie joined the SFA as Under-16 coach in 1981 and has been instrumental in the development of countless young professionals over the past four decades, providing experienced coaching at a key stage of player development, as well as instilling the principles of fair play and comradeship within his squads. He will also leave his duties as coach of the Under-17 squad with immediate effect. Overall responsibility for the National Youth Teams will fall under the remit of the new Performance Director, Mark Wotte, as part of the new SFA Performance Strategy and a further announcement on a new Under-17 coach will be made in due course.
Mathie siad: "It has been an absolute privilege to have worked with the Scottish FA over the past 30 years, alongside wonderful professional people who have made my time at the Association a most enjoyable experience." SFA Chief executive Stewart Regan said: "I would like to thank Ross for his remarkable contributionnot just to the Scottish FA but to Scottish football in general. He will be missed by his friends and colleagues throughout football but also by the players whose lives, not just careers, have been enhanced by Ross's positive influence. He is one of the game's unsung heroes and a coach who takes pride in making better players and better people. He is hugely popular at Hampden and in the modern era it says much for his capabilities that he has endured in an unforgiving industry. I am sure the Victory Shield squad will do their utmost to give Ross a fitting send-off by beating England in his final match in charge."