Gordon Smith blames Rangers links for negativity in time at SFA

GORDON SMITH believes some of the criticism directed at him during his time as Scottish Football Association chief executive was a result of him having played for Rangers.

Smith surprisingly resigned last month, citing personal reasons, having been in the position since 2007.

He said: "There are some people who will never accept you. Some Celtic fans, some fans around the country.

"It would be the same the other way round if I had a Celtic background. For me, it was down to having a Rangers background. For some people, they don't like Rangers and so they don't like anyone who's been at Rangers.

"You can get accusations of bias between the east and west coasts, too. East coast people talk about the GFA – the Glasgow Football Association. So you get that too.

"There is always negativity towards you, in that respect.

"But I would say that the number of people who got in touch and wished me all the best when I left, and said they would be sorry to see me go, was fantastic.

"I have had a great lift from the number of people who made an effort to get in touch. People have been very good. I had come to a point where I just felt I had to move on."

Smith has not ruled out the possibility of taking a job at a Scottish club.

"I don't know what I'm going to do. I am considering my options," he said.

"I would like to still be involved in football. I still have a passion for the game so I would like to be still involved in some respects.

"Could I go and work for a club? It's a possibility. I haven't given it a lot of consideration but it is one of the things that people have asked me about.

"I would maybe consider going to work in Europe. I have had phone calls from people in Austria and Switzerland asking whether I would be interested if jobs came up over there, like a general manager's job or a director of football or something.

"I said: 'Come to me with an offer first and I'd consider it'.

"But would he work for a Scottish club?

"That would be interesting, wouldn't it? The other side of the fence."