Motherwell manager Jim Gannon has hit out at the "negative" media's role in creating a "cultural mire" within Scottish football, which he believes contributed to George Burley's downfall as national team manager.
Gannon refused to speak to the media following the 2-2 draw at Hamilton two weeks ago after speculation in some quarters about who will leave the club in January.
He was then frustrated by reports claiming Aberdeen will offer Fir Park winger Jim O'Brien a pre-contract deal in January and followed up his criticism in the official programme for Saturday's Clydesdale Bank Premier League clash with Aberdeen.
"To emphasise the negative role of the media we only have to look at the position of George Burley," Gannon said. "A ridiculed figure opened to professional disrespect and personal insult.
"And why? Mainly for the failings of his players. Centre-backs who can't tackle without fouling and centre forwards who can't score into open nets. It is a wise old saying that a manager is only as good as his players."
Gannon revealed he was warned about the "nonsense" that surrounded the Scottish game before he joined Motherwell in the summer and had a different perspective to those "ingrained in the cultural mire generated by the media".
"I watch with interest as it unfolds and how the 'goldfish bowl' inhibits any real debate upon the issues of identity, playing style, development of players and long-term planning to become increasingly competitive," the former Dundalk and Stockport boss said.
"My fear is we will see no real improvements and the new (Scotland) manager will be asked to paper over the cracks with a dwindling pool of quality professionals."
He added: "At Fir Park it is clear we have gone down a different road.
"It is very hard to envisage our future but our chairman was bold enough to look outside the country for what he felt the club needed.
"A question worth asking our chairman was why he felt it necessary to go outside the country?"
