Darryl Broadfoot on Monday: Gordon Smith has finally found his niche as chief executive of the Scottish FA. On Thursday he spoke eloquently on the decades of neglect that have eroded the standards of football development and, by extension, society in this country.

Gordon Smith has finally found his niche as chief executive of the Scottish FA. On Thursday, from the splendid but unforgivably one-of-a-kind Toryglen Regional Football Centre, he spoke eloquently and impassionedly on the decades of neglect that have eroded the standards of football development and, by extension, society in this country.

Arguably for the first time since he replaced David Taylor, Smith was truly statesman-like. It is just a shame his announcement - access to organised team football for every Scottish child between S1 and S3 within three years - was not deemed sexy enough to merit the column inches and air time it deserved. Smith lamented the fact that the Toryglen facility is the only one to be constructed, six years after Taylor and Frank McAveety flagellated themselves over the £31.1m Youth Action Plan, which promised six regional centres across the country.

He bemoaned the health and fitness problems that have caused an obesity epidemic among Scotland's teenagers. He also spoke candidly on the devastating financial consequences of validating the criminally opportunist - not to mention chronically stupid - idea from the SNP MP, Stuart McMillan, to campaign for free-to-air international football on terrestrial television.

Smith aired his views with authority and alacrity. He was measured but pointed in his criticism of the Scottish government. It was an essential act of diplomacy since Holyrood - largely via Westminster hand-outs - are the only organisation that can actually initiate a long overdue revolution of the country's national game. The thought occurred midway through Smith's monologue that it should not be a paid employee of the SFA who should be making such sweeping pledges and wading into the reasons behind Scotland's slide into football mediocrity. Instead, this kind of rousing call-to-arms should have been conducted by Alex Salmond, Scotland's custodian as First Minister and supposed Jambo fanatic, or at the very least, whoever handles the sports portfolio.

The government should be commended for the Toryglen facility. It should also be condemned for arriving a day late and a dollar short. On the 10th anniversary of devolution, nationalists everywhere will unite to convince us all that Scotland has never been better off for its limited independence.

In a sporting context, we are blessed with two genuine, world-class sporting heroes. They have thrived in spite of their national identity, not because of it. We hail Andy Murray as one of our own but did nothing to aid his development from precocious childhood.

That accolade goes to his mother, Judy, for having the foresight to get her boy out of the country at the earliest convenience lest his talents wither away on inadequate tennis courts under the tutelage of inadequate coaches.

Then there is Sir Chris Hoy, a fierce patriot and a man who has had to overcome postcode adversity to become the foremost track cyclist in the world. He now lives in Salford, just to be close to the National Cycle Centre velodrome that shaped his greatness. And what of our next generation of footballers?

My own waning faith was partially restored this week, not only by exposure to Smith's sunny disposition as he proffered a brighter, more prosperous future, but also after undertaking an overdue look at grass roots. I watched my 12-year-old godson play for his school team at John Paul II in Castlemilk - previously the all-conquering St Dominic's Primary - and was genuinely enthralled and uplifted by the instinctive skills and swagger of three of his outfield team-mates, as well as his cat-like agility. For the sake of posterity - and for the benefit of the scouts left raking through the debris of Scottish youth football - remember the names: Anthony Dawson, Mark McGhee, Nathan Flanigan and Taylor Gallagher.

They performed with unnerving ease on a lush 3G surface, the ball running true and each pass, save or sliver of skill executed effortlessly and without the fundamental handicap of layers of ash underfoot. No skin grafts for the goalie, either. Castlemilk, like Easterhouse and every other housing scheme in the 1960s and 70s, was a hotbed of football talent. Now, more than ever, the odds are stacked heavily against the most prodigious talents fulfilling their potential and, instead, are weighed in favour of a life of crime, drug abuse, alcoholism or procreation addiction.

This is why Smith's plea resonated. The time has long since come for Salmond and his government to stop playing for votes and make a genuine difference. Last week's initiative is a start but such all-inclusive steps should have been taken 20 years ago, along with the rest of progressive Europe. The new pitches in the new schools are essential but not nearly enough. Glasgow alone needs six such centres like the one in Toryglen.

It will require entrepreneurial help truly to revolutionise Scottish football. Willie Haughey has already bailed out the SFA by part-sponsoring the Scottish Cup. If Sir Fred Goodman wants to get back in the nation's good books he should donate a wedge of his pension. Smith, belatedly, has found his calling at Hampden. While Henry McLeish does the housekeeping as chairman of the SFA review committee, Smith should be encouraged to continue his crusade on grass-roots football and not to tangle himself up in team affairs Scotland has talent but it has no direction and no leadership. Smith might just have volunteered his services as the Pied Piper of Hampden. It is about time somebody changed the tune.