Dundee Utd boss criticises Scottish FA

By Sean Saranczuk
August 18 2002

Alex Smith has criticised the Scottish Football Association and Scotland Under-21 boss Rainer Bonhof for playing his Dundee United stars in a practice match this week.

Alex Smith has criticised the Scottish Football Association and Scotland Under-21 boss Rainer Bonhof for playing his Dundee United stars in a practice match this week.

The Tannadice boss saw his team crash 5-0 at Celtic as goals from Jackie McNamara, Chris Sutton, Stilian Petrov, John Hartson and Henrik Larsson secured three points.

Former Scotland Under-21 coach Smith was angry that Stuart Duff and Jamie McCunnie were asked to play in a practice match during an international get-together under his successor earlier this week.

But Smith also believes some clubs are receiving preferential treatment from the SFA.

Smith said: "There's nobody more Scottish than I am. Nobody's travelled more than I have to watch Scotland.

"There has to be a compromise and, if there is a compromise, then it's got to be universal and no preferential treatment for some clubs while other clubs have to carry out the instructions.

"The two young lads looked a bit tired which is a problem we're going to have.

"We have players down for the get-together at the beginning of the week and they took part in a game even though we've got a heavy game at the end of the week.

"This has got to be done in a way that we don't have players tired.

"I will do all I can to help Berti (Vogts, Scotland coach). I know the situation and know what they are trying to do.

"But they have got to have some consideration for clubs and if it happens then it's got to be consistent.