Stewart Regan has defended Scotland’s mid summer jolly to Mexico and Peru and claimed that it ‘could be the start of something special’.
The out of touch SFA chief executive has been in Switzerland since Sunday when details of the friendlies were released followed quickly by Michael O’Neill rejecting the chance to become Scotland manager.
There seems absolutely no appetite for the trip to South and Central America with Regan admitting that commercial considerations (cash) is a big reason for making the trip.
It seems that denying eight Celtic players a summer break and jeopardising a £30m plus windfall across all top flight clubs didn’t enter the thought process as Regan arranged an end of season jolly for the committee men that have failed Scottish football for over 20 years.
Explaining the trip to the Daily Record Regan said: “When we take friendlies there are a number of reasons for doing that, some of them for footballing reasons others for commercial reasons or a combination of both.
“If we are under contract to play friendlies then we will be playing the friendlies we have agreed and that will be part of the discussion with the new coach.
“We have a great opportunity with Peru and Mexico to really let our players see what it’s like to play teams that are World Cup qualified teams from other confederations and continents.
“It could be the start of something special for us and the start of a new era. That will be part of the discussion with any national coach, that it’s a great chance to showcase Scottish football and kick off the new campaign.”
Regan’s next task is finding a manager willing to take on the Scotland job knowing that the bulk of the players he will be relying on have got better ideas for the close season that accompanying Regan on his South American adventure.
