Ian Maxwell holds no Celtic manager temptation fears over Steve Clarke as SFA chief convinced of Scotland motives
The SFA chief is certain that the national team manager will be keen to continue his mission.
Ian Maxwell insists he has no fears Scotland boss Steve Clarke’s could be tempted back into club football after being linked with the vacant Celtic post.
The SFA chief executive is convinced the national boss is fully focused on guiding the nation towards next summer’s Euros and then the 2026 World Cup after signing a three-year extension in March. Clarke’s 10/1 with the bookies to succeed Ange Postecoglou, with Leeds, Leicester and Southampton also searching for bosses.
Scotland face two Euro 2024 qualifiers against Norway and Georgia this month and Maxwell was emphatic when asked if he’s confident Clarke won’t be looking elsewhere. The CEO, who announced a Scottish Cup sponsorship deal with Scottish Gas worth £1.2million for each of the five years, said: “Absolutely, he is desperate to get us to the Euros and a World Cup. They had the success of 2020 at the Euros and to do that under more normal circumstances would be fantastic.
“The timing was good because we extended him just before the March games, so it was a bit of a masterstroke by the board. We’re absolutely delighted. He’s done great.”
The SFA had pulled a vote on the introduction of a new fifth tier featuring top-flight B teams, with member clubs due to have their say at their AGM. Maxwell added: “Every club you ask to look at anything does so through their own lens.
"They do it through their ‘what does this mean for me?’ glasses, which I get because I was at a club and it is difficult to take a more holistic approach. When you are at the association, then it is more straightforward and easier as you don’t have the club focus.
"Clubs are entitled to their opinion. It’s a democracy and the democracy we have has shown the resolution wouldn’t pass, so we have to look at it again in the future.”
The appointment of Alloa chief Mike Mulraney as SFA president was confirmed.