Ian Maxwell pulls out of Peru and Mexico to focus on new role
The Scottish FA chief executive will stay in Scotland for the trip
New Scottish FA chief executive Ian Maxwell has become the latest name to pull out of the trip to Peru and Mexico.
Alex McLeish's original Scotland squad has been decimated with a number of call-offs ahead of the end-of-season Latin America tour.
He will now take just a 21-man group after seeing six players withdraw.
And now Maxwell has decided against making the trans-Atlantic jaunt too as he gets to grips with his new job.
The former Partick Thistle managing director only took up his new posting on Monday - a day after his final day in charge at Firhill ended with Jags' relegation.
But with a number of important issues to be tackled - including a decision on the future of Hampden and the search for a new sponsor - the 43-year-old believes his time would be better spent getting down to work than accompanying McLeish's side half way round the world.
"I'm staying at home,'' said the former defender as he met the media for the first time since taking up his new role. "It just didn't feel like the right thing to do.
"I think I've got more on my plate than going to Peru and Mexico.
"Listen it's important that I'm here and getting a real understanding of the business.
"I'd love to go but hopefully there will be a lot of trips to come.
"The first big challenge is to understand the business. I have an idea of what happens here because of my taste during my time with Thistle and sitting on the SFA board.
"But really understanding the business, how things work and getting to know the staff is the first task.''
Scotland take on Peru on May 29 and Mexico on June 2 as McLeish prepares for his side's opening Nations League fixture with Albania on September 10.
The national team have not qualified for a major tournament since 1998 but Maxwell believes the country stands on the edge of a breakthrough as they look towards Euro 2020.
He said: "The game-changer is qualification. It sets up everybody. And with there being games in Glasgow, it would be incredible to get there.
"With the Nations League, with the squad and the manager that we've got, I think we've got a really good chance of getting there.'