SFA want Sir Alex Ferguson for ambassador role...

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...as he prepares to help pay tribute to Jock Stein.

 

THE former Manchester United boss is set to be offered the role by new president Alan McRae when he arrives for Scotland's match with Germany in September.

 

SIR ALEX FERGUSON could kick off an SFA ambassador role when Scotland pay tribute to his old boss Jock Stein at Hampden in September.

 

The former Manchester United gaffer will be guest of honour when Gordon Strachan’s side take on world champions Germany in a crucial Euro 2016 qualifier. And Ferguson’s appearance in Glasgow could be just the beginning of further involvement with the SFA – thanks to newly elected president Alan McRae.

 

McRae is a friend of Ferguson and wants the country’s best ever manager to work closely with the Hampden hierarchy. That could begin with the Germany fixture, when Scottish football will mark 30 years since Stein’s death.

 

McRae took over as the SFA’s figurehead from Campbell Ogilvie last month and wants to play his part in improving our game from top to bottom.

 

So who better to help him than our 
most successful manager.

 

And in his first interview since being elected, the 66-year-old revealed his 
plans to get Ferguson involved as an 
SFA ambassador. He said: “Alex is aware that, over the years, I’ve contributed to his success. During the early years in England he was heading for the White Cliffs of Dover and it was only my phone calls that stopped him going over!

 

“Seriously, I’ve got to try and tap into people like Alex and other people I know in the game.

 

“I want to get Alex involved in some way to help Scottish football. He’s coming up to the Germany game and will join us for dinner before the match.

 

“I’d like to think I can get him involved. I’ll try it because Alex has so much to offer. He could do ambassadorial stuff for us.”

 

“Alex and I used to go for drinks after midweek games up in Aberdeen when he was manager. And I’d travel with the team to European games.

 

“I actually didn’t see him on too many Saturday’s because I had work to do with my own club, Cove Rangers.

 

“But I started to get some young 
players off him and it just grew from there. I supported him when he was struggling a bit in England.

 

“I’d go down for midweek Man United games. After he’d got beat at football – I’d let him beat me at snooker. He’s pleased for me getting this role at the SFA because he knows I’ve achieved something I was aiming for.

 

“In my mind, I try to put it on a par with what he’s done in management.

 

“He’s achieved so much. He’s a top 
guy, a top coach and one of the most successful managers ever. But I still tell Alex that I’m on a par with him.

 

“You don’t have to be at the top of the game to be successful. In my 23 years at the SFA I’ve seen many come in at big clubs and they haven’t lasted long.

 

“You have to be prepared to commit yourself to it. That means spending 
time on it and sacrificing your family 
or business.

 

“And in the last eight years I’ve been training for this role. I’ve never taken anything for granted. But as a football fan and former chairman of a club, it’s something I’ve aspired to do.”

 

McRae is a popular figure within the game. As well as leading Cove to the Highland League, he’s been successful in the construction business.

 

And he’s not afraid to speak his 
mind. He’ll represent Scotland at UEFA and FIFA but, more importantly, he’ll support SFA chief executive Stewart Regan in his continued attempts to improve our game.

 

Regan was vilified by many during the Rangers saga in 2012 after the Newco club was forced to work its way up from 
Scottish football’s bottom tier.

 

But McRae feels he wasn’t backed enough by the SFA board members. And he’s vowed that, in his tenure, that won’t be the case.

 

He said: “Stewart has done a good job. He is very sharp and he learns quickly.

 

“If there’s something he doesn’t know, it doesn’t take him long to find out. And he is able to fight his corner.

 

“But because of circumstances, he’s been the front man of the SFA. Maybe at times it would have helped if he’d had more support.

 

“The Rangers situation in particular was a difficult one. Campbell Ogilvie’s hands were tied and I was lying in the operating theatre after a heart bypass.

 

“Stewart got some support from Rod Petrie and the rest of the board to a point. But he was having to deal with things that were changing quickly.

 

“The scrutiny on this position won’t bother me. I’m a big boy and I can stand up for myself.

 

“I have to accept that if I do something wrong there will be criticism that comes my way.

 

“There will be times when I have to stand up and be counted. But I’m looking forward to that.

 

“If I have a view on something and feel 
something needs to be said, I’ll say it. Speaking out won’t bother me.”

 

And why should it? McRae probably feels 
life is too short after the 
passing of his good 
friend and former SFA associate David Taylor 
in 2014.

 

The former UEFA 
General Secretary was a close ally of McRae and they became pals away from the 
boardroom too.

 

When he lunched with Taylor and his family in Portugal after last year’s Champions League Final – he had no idea it would be their last meeting.

 

And McRae reckons if Scotland can qualify for Euro 2016 – Taylor would be as proud as any Tartan Army foot soldier.

 

He said: “I was staying in Portugal and it was Champions League Final weekend. I invited David and his wife Cathy for lunch. We were laughing and joking. He’d just had his MOT and a single heart bypass.

 

“Some months later, I’d be getting a triple bypass and a mechanical valve – so we were joking we were both part of the zimmer club.

 

“We were sorting out plans to go to a few games in Brazil together.

 

“It was a lovely day, the sun was 
shining, there was good food and wine – we had a right good laugh.

 

“But that’s the last time I saw David. It was hard as we spoke to each other regularly. We played golf together as well so it was tough to take. But it was harder for Cathy and his boys.

 

“It was just over a year ago when he passed – he died on June 24.

 

“If we qualify for the Euros next 
summer, I’m sure he’ll be up there watching, as proud as anyone.

 

“We might even get a guest 
appearance from him! Cathy and the boys will be there, that’s for sure.”

 

http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/sfa-want-sir-alex-ferguson-6050854