Training centre is pitch perfect for Scots stars
A hydrotherapy pool or hi-tech ice bath won’t get Scotland to the World Cup.
A four- star hotel and a pristine pitch with the same dimensions as Hampden won’t guarantee we’ll be at the next Euro finals.
But it might just enhance our chances.
And when Gordon Strachan’s side are trying to get to Russia 2018 or the multi-city Euros two years later, for once there will be no excuses.
Because thanks to Oriam – Scotland’s new £33million nat ional per formance centre in Edinburgh – our players will have everything they need to succeed.
MailSport was given a sneak preview of the facility last week ahead of its grand opening a week tomorrow.
It might not be as lavish as England’s version at St George’s Park although it’s every bit as impressive.
From next year Strachan’s national squad will base themselves here during international weeks.
They will effectively step out of their hotel room on to an immaculate grass park.
Players wi l l have full use of a recovery pool, highclass gym, physio, doctor and conditioning rooms.
That’s not to mention an incredible indoor pitch.
No stone has been left unturned and Oriam CEO Catriona McAllister believes it rivals anything in the UK.
She said: “Players at club level are used to enjoying the best of everything.
“We went down to Aston Villa, who have outstanding facilities, as well as others like Sunderland, Spurs and Manchester United.
“Oriam stacks up well against the Premier League facilities. In fact our indoor pitches are far superior.
“So this competes. You then go up to Manchester City’s at £150million – they clearly have things we don’t.
The ethos he strives to build, the brand he created to help cement the buy- in of Well’s former benefactor Les Hutchison.
There’s a poster on the wal l of McGhee’s office in the bowels of Fir Park, his keyword emblazoned in the middle of images of the likes of Andy Murray and Muhammad Ali above those of Academy graduates James McFadden and Jamie Murphy.
PRIDE. Personal Responsibility In Delivering Excellence.
As Scottish football turns the spotlight on the perceived flaws and failures of our youth development system, the Motherwell model WORKS.
It’s a regime the Scotland No.2, who returned to Well last October, believes in and he revealed: “I went out to Ba rbados to see Les Hutchinson when I came back here.
“I felt