SCOTTISH Football Association performance director Malky Mackay last night met with Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers to discuss how the Irishman can help halt the decline of Scottish football.
Rodgers worked with Mackay during the latter’s time in charge at English side Watford and the Irishman has told the former Scotland centre-half that he is prepared to assist him in his new role.
Mackay – who was appointed as the performance director in December to replace Brian McClair – believes that every manager in the Ladbrokes Premier League has a significant role to play in resurrecting the ailing fortunes of our national game.
Derek McInnes, the Aberdeen manager, has already volunteered to speak to national age-group squads as well as committing to take their training sessions.
Mackay also revealed that he held talks with Sir Alex Ferguson last Friday and was set to hold similar meetings with former Scotland managers Craig Brown, Andy Roxburgh and Walter Smith.
Asked if Rodgers could also play a part in improving the national game as Mackay outlined the recommendations contained in Project Brave yesterday, the SFA performance director said: “I am going to be asking him. I am meeting [Rodgers] tonight to talk about it.
“That is something that is absolutely ongoing. Project Brave is the performance strategy for Scottish football – not the Scottish Football Association, it is for Scottish football. It is for the betterment of Scottish football. I am asking for everyone’s help and for everyone to be involved in this.
“It is why I have gone to 12 [senior]clubs and why I am going to all 42.
“I have to go to every club and ask them to help and say that we are sitting next to them, not sitting across from them.
“I will be asking the Premier League managers for their help, without a doubt. Brendan is somebody I know pretty well from my time at Watford and down in England.
“Derek McInnes is another who has already offered help in terms of the international teams, going and talking to the international teams, taking an international team training session.
“These are guys who are at the sharp end, guys who have been there, seen it and done it already.
“I was down seeing Sir Alex Ferguson and I plan to talk to Walter Smith, Craig Brown and Andy Roxburgh as well concerning their thoughts going forward and, at times, also being involved in something. We need as many helpers as possible involved in this.”
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