No identity crisis, says SFA’s Regan

SFA chief executive Stewart Regan has hit back at critics who have suggested the Scotland squad has become too laden with English-born players.

Of the 16 players who turned out for Craig Levein’s side against Cyprus in Larnaca on Friday, five were born in England, prompting criticism from those who believe the national team is in danger of losing its identity. The Scotland manager was also linked yesterday with Liverpool’s former England U19 captain Jonjo Shelvey, on loan at Blackpool.

However, Regan insists that looking south of the Border is a matter of necessity until our own players are up to the task – and not something unique to the Scottish cause.

Using his official Twitter account, he responded: “It’s not just a Scotland thing. It happens all over the world. Klose in the German team is Polish born. Most of the USA team are born overseas. Lots of Germans are in there because of Jurgen Klinsmann as coach. We need to compete until we develop our own players.”