Scot's goal is glory for England

THEY think he's crossed over. He has now – for a Glaswegian has landed the task of leading England's footballers to glory.

Alistair Gray, the former chairman of the Scottish Institute of Sport, has been hired by the Football Association to produce a masterplan for a World Cup or European Championship win.

The strategic management consultant concedes that his appointment will rile some fans on both sides of the border.

But Gray, an honorary professor of sports studies at Stirling University, insists that he would be more than happy to offer his services to Scotland's new management team.

He has also made the controversial claim that Scottish players should look to play in the English Premiership rather than the SPL.

The founder and managing director of Glasgow-based consultancy firm Genesis confirmed that he has been hired to devise a long-term plan with the goal of making England's national team the envy of the world. He said: "I am working with the FA on their strategy which will guide them through until 2012. That will be published soon."

Gray remained tightlipped when asked if he had been tasked with paving the way for England to win a major trophy.

"I can't divulge that at this stage, but hopefully all will be revealed later this year.

"But what I can say is that the strategy will address how England can sustain players in football more effectively then they have in the past and how to make them excel."

Gray did reveal that he hopes to help England make significant progress from the current position of 11 in the Fifa world rankings. "It's clear that England expects. A country like England should be aiming to be in the world's top four.

"When you are in the top four, you are in the mix and anything can happen. Anything can't happen when you are outside the top 10."

The consultant admitted that his appointment had raised eyebrows in some quarters: "As part of my work with the FA, I recently chaired a meeting of England supporters. I saw they were looking at me, and one of them asked where I was from.

"When I told him I was from Glasgow, he was amazed.

"I told him: 'Look. I am absolutely professional about this. I won't admit it in my homeland but England winning is my goal now.'

"I realise that it will make some Scottish fans sick to their stomachs, but I want to work at the very top of my profession."

Former England captain Terry Butcher recently made an opposite defection of loyalty when he was unveiled as Scotland's new assistant coach.

Gray believes that more Scots need to head south of the border for our national team to make further progress.

"I realise it may be controversial, but ideally Scottish players should aspire to play in the English Premiership," he said. "A good example of this is Alan Hutton, who recently moved from Rangers to Tottenham Hotspur.

"In England, he will get a competitive game every week.

"In Scotland, he would get competitive games maybe four or five times a season."

The strategist lamented the lack of Scots playing in what he considers to be arguably the best league in the world.

"For decades, Scots were the mainstay of the biggest English clubs, like Manchester United. All players want to perform at the highest level, and having the Premiership on our doorstep is fantastic. Increasing the number of Scots in England's top league would undoubtedly help our national team."

But Gray feels Scotland could also be on the cusp of greater success. "Walter Smith and Alex McLeish have brought respectability and pride back."

He added: "As a Scot, I would be delighted to work with the SFA and the new Scotland manager to help the national team progress. But, as yet, I haven't had an opportunity to explain my ideas to them."

CHANGED SIDES

Adam Crozier

Born in Falkirk but went on to revolutionise English football when he was appointed chief executive of the FA in 2000.

Peter Nicol

World number one in squash, Nicol defected to England in 2000 and played against his old teammates.

Alan Hansen

As a BBC broadcaster, Hansen has enraged sections of the Tartan Army by appearing to adopt England as his team.

Watt Nicol

Scots psychologist called to England training camp by then coach Kevin Keegan in 1999.