MCLEISH BLASTED FOR BACKING PRO-UNION ADVERT

Tartan Army’s fury over manager’s remarks

By Gordon Blackstock

http://www.dcthomson.co.uk/MAGS/POST/news2.htm

THE SFA has had complaints from the Tartan Army about Alex McLeish backing a campaign to keep Scotland in Britain. Last Monday the Scotland boss, with 14 other Scots football legends including Ally McCoist, Graeme Souness and Walter Smith, put his name on an advert supporting the Union.

The full-page ad, sponsored by Glasgow company Lynnet Leisure, appeared in two newspapers, urging “every patriotic Scot to help maintain Scotland’s place in the United Kingdom”.

In a subsequent interview, McLeish was reported as saying, “I support the Union. I think it has benefited us.”But his comments sparked fury among the rank and file Tartan Army, who accuse 77-times capped McLeish of using his position to give weight to a political campaign.

Stuart Darling, who attends most of Scotland’s home and some away matches, said he had formally complained to the SFA. In a letter he said, “I think it is a shocking misuse of his position that he should be so public about his feelings. “I feel he should apologise for these comments and remove his name from the campaign. To suggest a Scotsman could only be patriotic if they vote for a pro-Union party is appalling.

Patriotism

“In effect he is questioning the patriotism of a large section of the Tartan Army.”Alan Duncan, chairman of the North of Scotland Tartan Army, said, “It’s been a hot topic of discussion this week and most of us think he’s made a monumental blunder. Football should be kept separate from politics.

“I think he’s been ill-advised and his comments show a surprising degree of naivety. He needs to realise he’s not just Alex McLeish, but Alex McLeish, Scotland manager. And that carries a huge responsibility.

“He should realise it was largely Jack McConnell’s pro-Union government who threw away our chances of hosting the forthcoming European Championships through mismanagement of the bid. However, we don’t think it’s going to endanger his job as Scotland manager.”

SFA spokesman Andy Mitchell said, “We’ve received a number of e-mails and letters complaining about Alex McLeish’s involvement in the advert. “The opinion expressed is a personal one and is not endorsed by the Scottish FA.”

Last night Alex McLeish refused to comment. But he’s understood to have told friends he regretted the comments and thought he was merely passing on his individual political views. He’s believed to be upset that he could have alienated a large section of the Tartan Army. No-one from Lynnet Leisure was available to comment on the ad, but head of the company, James Mortimer, is known to be a vocal supporter of the Union.