Performance Director Wanted: Apply Hampden

The search for a performance director to join the SFA continues and chief executive Stewart Regan reckons it could be next season before they take up their place at Hampden. The role of a performance director at the SFA  was a key recommendation by former First Minister Henry McLeish in part one of his review document which was published in April and which concentrated mainly on grassroots football in Scotland. Regan revealed that the hunt for the person who would be responsible for overseeing a new academy structure with a view to producing a better standard of footballer, was well under way and that every stop would be pulled out in order to get the right man for the post.

He said: "We are currently recruiting a performance director. We are casting our net far and wide and we are not just looking at football. We are looking at other sports and are looking at other countries. We are determined to keep an open mind to get the best candidate for the job."

Asked if former Scotland boss Walter Smith, who is leaving his post at Rangers at the end of the season, would be a suitable candidate, Regan said: "It is inappropriate to comment on individuals. You would like to think you could recruit as quickly as possible but depending on notice period, it could be months. However, we would like to think someone would be in place for the start of the new season."