Old Firm hype allows SFA to hide sorry tale of grim football governance | Ewan Murray


Euro 2020 embarrassment has shown Scotland to be bereft of organisation, inspiration and strategy, and the Scottish Football Association is to blame

Long before Sunday lunchtime the noise and conspiracy attached to a meeting of Celtic and Rangers will have reduced Scotland’s humiliation in Kazakhstan to an afterthought, which is precisely the way those presiding over the national team want it.

Any self-respecting governing body would have jettisoned Alex McLeish after the 3-0 defeat in Astana. Instead, the manager was left to reflect on a “bright start” – Scotland were 2-0 down after 10 minutes – as his paymasters began their latest game of hide and seek. By the time Scotland’s travelling circus reached San Marino, McLeish was unwilling to “dwell on history”.

Related: Alex McLeish admits Scotland must ‘kick on’ after nervy win over San Marino

Related: The Fiver | Humiliation calculated as Kazakhstan = 1978 x (Costa Rica + Uruguay)²

Related: Winning is only way for Scotland to apologise for Kazakhstan, says McLeish

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