MSPS WERE urged last night to bring back the home international tournament when they debate the crisis in Scottish football today, writes Steve Bargeton, political editor.

Scotland’s cash-strapped clubs can expect little more than warm words and promises of support when the state of the national game is debated.

None of the main political parties will be supporting a financial package to bail out struggling clubs.

Three SPL clubs—Motherwell, Dundee and Livingston—are in administration and there are fears for the future of Dunfermline FC with players being forced to take a pay cut.

With most SPL clubs’ debts outstripping their assets, many MSPs believe that other clubs will quickly follow.

Last week First Minister Jack McConnell made it clear that there will be no rescue bid, and pointed out while the financial difficulties being faced by clubs are “regrettable...they are the responsibility of the individual clubs.”

The Scottish Tories say that football clubs are private businesses which must be allowed to make their own way.

The SNP, who have called today’s debate, also say there is no case for an injection of public funds into ailing football clubs, but believe that politicians have a duty to create a climate for constructive ideas.

“Our national sport is in crisis. It’s time our national Parliament looked at what it can do to help,” said the party’s sport spokesman and avid football supporter Kenny MacAskill, who will be leading the debate.

“This is not a question of public money, there can be no bail out, but we can look at the strategic direction and structure of the sport.

“Football is currently governed by a structure more suited to the 19th century than the 21st.

“There are too many governing bodies and too little joined up thinking—that needs to change.

“No one will thank politicians if we try to dictate to football how it should proceed, but we can provide a forum for constructive ideas and I look forward to hearing other people’s ideas on how we can help dig the game out of the hole it finds itself in.”

The Tories believe one of those ideas might be the return of the home internationals between Scotland, England, Northern Ireland and Wales.

Their sport spokesman Jamie McGrigor has written to the football associations of Scotland, England, Wales and Northern Ireland, as well as Sports Minister Frank McAveety and other MSPs asking for support.

“I believe that the return of a home international tournament would be a welcome boost for football not only in Scotland but in the rest of the UK,” he said.

“Apart from the benefit for fans of being able to watch more high quality international football, there would be enormous financial benefits.”