BRENDAN Rodgers has offered to help Malky Mackay in "whatever way he can" as the new SFA performance director bids to turn Scottish football into a success.
The Celtic manager also insisted now is the time for action to fix our national game, especially at international level, and that no more excuses must be used if the next generation is to flourish.
Yesterday, Scott Brown spoke in Herald Sport how Hampden chiefs should come and look close hand at the work Rodgers is doing at the Ladbrokes Premiership leaders. Since he came in during the summer, he has guided Celtic to the the Champions League, steered them to a Betfred Cup and propelled them into a 19-point lead in the league.
The Parkhead and Scotland captain believes the Northern Irishman's innovative approach to training and forward thinking when it comes to how he sees the game could be invaluable to those charged with getting Scotland to a major tournament for the first time sine 1998.
It is a suggestion Rodgers himself is open to, who said while in Dubai with the Glasgow club: “I’d help in whatever way I can. Malky knows me well enough.
“I’m sure he’ll have his own ideas of how it should work. I’m always open, communication is always open to help and support in whatever way I can.
“I want to see Scotland do well. I think there’s talent and if they can find a path to take responsibility rather than make excuses and let the talent to work, then I’m sure they will do very, very well.
“That’s up to other people. I spent my life travelling and studying picking up the best and the worst around the world and just adding it to your own idea. I’m sure Malky will know exactly where it’s at and he’ll take his time to develop the ethos to hopefully change the fortunes of development in the country."
Mackay was appointed in December as performance director, taking over from Brian McClair, and will work to try and implement the SFA's Project Brave plan to overhaul youth football at club level to provide a clearer pathway to the national team.
The blame game is an issue Rodgers mentioned in holding back Scotland's ambitions while others rise to the challenge.
He stated how it is time players take responsibility for their own careers to go after their dream of one day playing for club or country, and again cited the inspiration that is world No1 Andy Murray as the shining example for all young kids to follow.
"Yeah - but there are other nations as well. My experience here is that there is talent, but you have to accept responsibility," said Rodgers of an excuse culture in Scottish football. "I've had briefings with players at clubs where they blame everyone else.
"Players have to take the Andy Murray example - he's the perfect sportsperson for people in Scotland to aspire to. He has drive determination and talent.
"I'm sure it's an exciting journey for Scottish football going forward, I really do. Malky will come in and do a good job. He's played at the top level, but he's coached and done the dirty work at lower clubs.
"He came into the Premier League and worked and did well in the most competitive league in the world. He's been away from Scotland a while but he'll come in and be able to give a rounded overview and I'm sure he'll do very well.
"Knowing Malky as I do I'm sure he'll take on ideas and bring in some of his own. There's no doubt there's talent here but its all about developing it in the right way."
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