Mark McGhee admits Brian McClair's SFA departure was a shock - but insists there is no cause for panic

Mark McGhee admits the departure of Brian McClair from the Scottish FA came as a shock - but he believes there is enough stability in the youth system to compensate for the "turbulence" at the top.

McClair last week stepped down as SFA performance director after 13 months in the role, with SFA chief executive Stewart Regan revealing the former Manchester United head of youth had been uncomfortable with the position forcing him to spend so much time "lobbying in the boardroom".

McClair leaves Scotland role

Brian McClair leaves his role as the SFA's performance director by mutual consent

The situation was previously vacated by Mark Wotte, who grew frustrated at resistance to his ideas.

Scotland assistant coach McGhee said: "I was very surprised. We all were. It's a real shame because I think Brian is a really forward thinker.

All over the country there are fantastic people doing a fantastic job

"I think he's different. I played with him at Celtic and had a great relationship with him, but I know that he is an unusual character, and sometimes people don't quite understand him.

"But it's a real shame because he had good ideas and I think they would have needed time to really be understood."

The Motherwell boss added: "It clearly is turbulent when that's happening, but what you've got to remember is that below that there is a lot that has stayed the same in terms of the people that are there.

"All over the country there are fantastic people doing a fantastic job at all those levels and they are all still there.

"It's the leadership that has changed and now the SFA has to make sure that the next guy is the right guy and can communicate with all of those good people I am talking about.

"There's already a lot of good things up and running including innovations that Brian has taken. I'm optimistic that nationally people have the right motivation, people have the right idea about what they are trying to achieve.

"People are trying to produce excellence that filters through from the clubs to the national team at all levels."