Scottish Football Association chief executive Stewart Regan believes that the Scottish game has reached a “low point” after three of the country’s domestic clubs crashed out of Europe.
SPL champions Rangers and rivals Celtic lost to inexperienced opponents, while Hearts suffered defeat at the hands of Premier League outfit Tottenham.
"It's a real low point for the Scottish game,” Regan told BBC Scotland. "We've just lost our way. I wouldn't want to call it a crisis because that implies that you are not able to do something about it. I think we can.
"You look at some of the countries still competing and they are the minnows of UEFA.
"Scotland cannot afford to lose its big teams in Europe, it is too important for the game financially and from a performance point of view. We have to wake up and smell the coffee and recognise that it is time to do something about it.”
This marks the first time since 1956 that there have been no Scottish clubs in Europe.
Danielle Joynson
