Scottish FA promises 'new deal' for referees after weekend strike action

Officials were drafted in from Luxembourg, Malta and Israel after their Scottish counterparts withdrew their labour. In the end just four Clydesdale Bank Premier League fixtures took place as two others were postponed due to adverse weather.

Regan, who was appointed in the summer, has endured a tough baptism since taking up the role and now hopes to oversee "significant improvement for the Scottish FA and the game in general".

Regan said: "The last week represented a challenging and traumatic time for Scottish football. Now that the refereeing fraternity has made its point through a withdrawal of labour, it is essential for the image and indeed the health of the game that we all learn from this experience to ensure no repeat."

Scotland's leading officials last week took the decision to strike, seeking a "fundamental reappraisal" of their relationship with football and society, after their integrity was brought into question.

The SFA offered referees a range of conciliatory measures, including a blanket ban on comments about match officials. But the match officials insisted they would not back down as they ruled out any chance of a "quick fix" and the strike went ahead.

The catalyst for the furore appeared to be when Dougie McDonald decided to rescind a penalty he had awarded to Celtic last month, before he subsequently admitted that he had misled his supervisor and Celtic manager Neil Lennon over the circumstances of the U-turn.

McDonald retired from the game – after 29 years as a referee – on Sunday and criticised the SFA for failing to protect referees from attacks on their integrity.

Regan, who earlier this month rebuked McDonald for his "white lie" at Tannadice, insisted the SFA are aware of the flaws in the system and are determined to address them.

Regan said: "In relation to Dougie McDonald's retirement, we appreciate the difficulties senior referees are facing with increasing pressure exerted on them.

"Dougie felt that pressure in the aftermath of the Dundee United versus Celtic game had become intolerable. In his statement, Dougie referred to a perceived lack of general support from one of the Scottish FA committees.

"We have already identified the need to make changes to our current disciplinary processes. These changes will lead to significant improvement for the Scottish FA and the game in general."

Regan is determined to reform the system, but warned it will take time. "We welcome the referees' intention to sit down and play their part in delivering the changes required,'' he said.

"I reiterate my personal determination to improve the efficiency and transparency of our decision-making. I have received board support in this regard and it is imperative we are given time to put the changes in place.

"This review will also require the patience and support of clubs, fans and the media, all of whom I am sure will recognise that such measures will benefit the game as a whole."

Meanwhile, Celtic legend Frank McGarvey has urged Parkhead fans to shrug off their long-held suspicions of Scottish referees in the wake of referee McDonald's resignation and "move on".

Celtic chairman John Reid had called on the SFA to sack McDonald if he did not fall on his sword, a view which found support from Lennon and most of the club's supporters.

It is hoped within the SFA that McDonald's resignation will take some heat out of the current climate of abuse and criticism which led to a strike by Scotland's grade one officials at the weekend.

And McGarvey, who played for Celtic between 1980 and 1985, called for the club's fans to play their part.

"It's time for Celtic fans to move on for the sake of Scottish football. People at Celtic should be talking about how they will win the league, not about conspiracies. There are no conspiracies. I've been there.

"I played for Celtic at Ibrox when we were 2-0 down at half-time and got two penalties in the second half, one when one of our players hadn't been touched.

"I always thought that decisions evened themselves out over the course of the season and, if anything, the big teams got the calls against the smaller teams.

"Referees are trying their best in difficult circumstances.

"Did referees cost Celtic four points in their last two games? No. It was a poor defence that did that.

"So it is time to stop the criticism because it is doing Scottish football no good at all. Celtic and all the other clubs should be showing more respect to the referees and the Celtic fans should move on."