The SFA chief executive reiterated his full support of the manager after the president, George Peat, told a Sunday newspaper that the bounce games would determine the level of commitment to Burley and the country’s cause.

Smith defended the decision to play Japan in Yokohama on October 10, the week after the first Old Firm derby of the season, and has entered into negotiations with potential opponents for another friendly in November. Scotland also play the Czech Republic in March next year and have one more friendly date before the start of the qualification campaign for Euro 2012.

He expects a full squad to join Burley in Japan along with the likely new assistant, Gary McAllister, an appointment The Herald revealed yesterday. While Smith expects a positive response to Scotland’s failure to secure a World Cup play-off place, he considers the result in Japan to be of secondary importance to the overall performance.

“I do think performances are more important than results in friendly matches,” said Smith, who launched the rebranding of the Active Nation Scottish Cup yesterday. “You try to get results but I think the most important thing is giving players an opportunity to establish themselves at that level. I am sure a lot of players will learn from it. We are playing somebody of a good standard and we took the game on for continuity purposes.

“I think George will be speaking to managers and hope to put as strong a squad [as possible] together. I think the only concern would come from teams that have a lot of players representing them. Hopefully he can put a good squad together, whether it is the whole first team or not.

“I heard one pundit say it was a ridiculous idea to go over to Japan and could we not have played against European opposition? Are they aware that the World Cup qualifiers are still going on? Most of the teams in Europe have games to play because they were in larger qualifying groups. I think it is an interesting fixture and one that might make us a little bit of money.”

The SFA will now concentrate their efforts on finding a new kit sponsor to replace the ailing Diadora, with adidas the favourites to replace the manufacturers who went bust during the credit crisis. They will also negotiate a potential extension with the new owners of team sponsors Tennent’s. Of greater importance to Smith is removing the negativity that has surrounded Scotland’s failure to reach another major championships.

He and the rest of the SFA board gave Burley their backing to lead the national team into a second qualifying campaign and the relationship between the chief executive and the manager has strengthened during the scatter-gun criticism. “I understand the problems he has had but we have made it very clear he is staying and now it is up to us to be supportive towards him,” said Smith. “I have so much on the go in terms of what I am trying to do and apart from not reaching the World Cup play-offs, I am happy, too, although some people might have difficulty understanding that.”

The appointment of McAllister as a part-time assistant will be phase one of the rebuilding process and Smith is satisfied with the credentials of a former Scotland captain and Hall of Fame entrant.

“I do not have a problem with Gary McAllister,” said Smith. “He is someone the Tartan Army can relate to as a former captain and has great experience as a player at club and international level.

“George said he would be looking at the situation and had somebody to speak to. It is George’s decision and while we are disappointed to lose Steven Pressley, I understand his reasons. He was not really getting the input he would have liked and chose to concentrate on his club responsibilities.”

Smith was less impressed by the four months it has taken for the disciplinary committee to decide the fate of Glenn Loovens. Celtic’s Dutch defender was given a retrospective one-match ban for a challenge on Maurice Edu in the final Old Firm derby of last season, but the suspension has been appealed and no date has been set for the hearing. In contrast, Eduardo, the Arsenal striker, had been given a two-game ban by UEFA for diving against Celtic, had his appeal upheld and scored the winner for the club against Standard Liege a matter of weeks later.

“It is down to the committees and this is something I cannot influence or have the power to change procedures,” said Smith. “It is about bringing people together who are volunteers and it is something that has to be addressed. I will not be critical of the committee members, but matters like these have to be addressed quicker.”