Eurostar: John McClelland is vice-chairman of the newly-formed European Club Association
JOHN McClelland's tenure as chairman of Rangers may only have lasted two years but the Ibrox director has unfinished business when it comes to promoting the interests of Scottish football across Europe.
To suggest the newly-formed European Club As
sociation, of which McClelland has been made vice-chairman, marks a new era in terms of football's power base might be stretching the point but McClelland is determined to take full advantage of Scotland being given a critical voice at the top table of the decision-making process.
Having watched from the sidelines as the elite of club football, in the guise of the now defunct G14 cartel, grabbed every possible headline whenever football was in trouble, McClelland believes it was only a matter of time before the so-called second tier teams had a pivotal role in the corridors of power – particularly after recent successes on the field. McClelland beat off competition from nine other candidates to become an ECA board member, an indication of Scotland's growing reputation at club as well as international level.
"For Rangers and for Scottish football generally, the chance to align with some of the larger clubs is a fantastic boost," said McClelland. "Undoubtedly, with Celtic in the Champions League and us getting to the final of the UEFA Cup, performances can only have helped our cause. It's hard to quantify what this means but it's pretty big. G14 were all big boys but they only represented one section of European club football. It's very important that clubs of our size, those that were outside G14, are represented because there are several of us that regularly play in one or other of the two club competitions. Now we have one solid voice."
In his new role as one of 15 ECA board members, McClelland will tackle the game's most pressing issues. Although over 100 clubs are members – including Celtic and Hearts – it is the board which will lead discussions with UEFA and FIFA. There has been something of a rapprochement in recent months between the clubs and governing bodies, but McClelland believes the clubs need to have their own independent voice, particularly when it comes to FIFA president Sepp Blatter's controversial 6-plus-5 idea.
UEFA has made it abundantly clear that it will not even entertain the concept of quotas based on nationality but nevertheless, says McClelland, the clubs need to take a united stand. "It's the big issue right now and there is no doubt about the ECA's position. I am in favour of some kind of model of home-grown talent but not 6-plus-5."
McClelland is quick to point out that it is not just Scottish interests he is pursuing but those of all clubs of similar stature. He won't say how many members voted for him becoming an ECA board member but revealed the secret ballot vote was "not marginal". Asked what arguments he put forward to persuade his colleagues to give Scotland a place on the top table, he says it was simply a question of stressing his experience. Celtic, by contrast, never put their name forward though McClelland says nothing sinister should be read into that. "Don't forget that the members include not only Celtic but Hearts too. Next year it could be Hibs or Dundee United."
As well as the issue of foreign player quotas, McClelland and his team of administrators will also be focusing on the possible rebranding of the UEFA Cup. From the 2009-10 season, the tournament could be known as the Europa League to give it fresh impetus. "The creation of the group stages of the UEFA Cup added value to the tournament and we have to make sure nothing happens to devalue the tournament," he said.
Bayern Munich executive Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, the ECA chairman, is particularly keen on some kind of rebranding mechanism for a competition many clubs still view as a liability rather than a genuine route to glory. "I believe we have to change the branding in order to increase the prize money and make the competition more interesting," said Rummenigge. "Everyone has always had the impression that the UEFA Cup is a second-class competition and we have to do more to make it more like it was 15 or 20 years ago in terms of importance."
The full article contains 746 words and appears in Scotland On Sunday newspaper.
