SFA thumbs up for academy plans

Taylor said Scotland needed better football facilities

The Scottish Football Association (SFA) has welcomed proposals for a new £17m national academy.

Former Celtic director Willie Haughey is part of a group seeking planning permission to build an academy in Bothwell, Lanarkshire.

SFA chief executive David Taylor said it could give Scotland an academy similar to those in Italy and France.

"We have been banging on about it for a long time and we have to be positive about a proposal like this," he said.

The SFA chief executive said nothing had been agreed, but stressed the need to improve the country's football facilities.

"Obviously, it's now in the hands of the appropriate planning department and, until they make their decision, which I believe will be in about two months time, we cannot make any firm plans," Taylor added.

"The French have Clarefontaine, the Italians and the Dutch also have their academies and it's obvious what the benefit has been for them from it.

"There are a lot of get-togethers for our teams at every level and the main priority for this facility would be as a permanent base for the international squads."