If it had emerged 10 years, or even five years ago, that Neil Carter was making himself available for Scotland, the news would have been greeted with cheers in most quarters. The Warwickshire all-rounder, who was born in Cape Town, but whose mother is Scottish, has long been one of the county circuit's most explosive performers and, even recently, his heroics helped steer his employers into the CB40 final. On his day, Carter can be an unstoppable six machine, blessed with instinctive clean striking.

Yet the key phrase in that sentence is surely "on his day". Because the player is now 37, is poised to leave Edgbaston at the climax of the current campaign, and will be 40 by the time of the next World Cup. And, for all that he still possesses the ability to destroy almost any opponents, only those clutching at straws will truly believe Carter is the answer to the problems which continue to plague the game north of the Border.

To be fair, this isn't the man's fault, not should anybody condemn him for striving to capitalise on the recent change in the ICC's eligibility regulations. "In the past, you either had to be born in the country or spend 100 days a year there. Now, if either of your parents is Scottish – and my mum is – then you can qualify," said Carter, who is aiming to make his international debut at the World Cup qualifiers in March next year.

In some respects, this would be a fairytale conclusion to the career of one of the sport's engaging blokes, somebody who won the Most Valuable Player of the 2010 domestic season award, and a character who once demolished the Saltires attack, with a wonderfully exhibition of power, panache and psychological destruction of his rivals. One can imagine Carter dominating other Associate countries with his belligerent approach, but, for every plus about his possible recruitment, there is a counter-reason to argue that Cricket Scotland has other, far more important issues to address.

For starters, the governing body's priority should revolve around developing and improving their own talent, rather than hiring a presumably expensive, ageing gun-slinger. The Scots are packed to the rafters with all-rounders, including Richie Berrington, Josh Davey, Preston Mommsen, Majid Haq, Matty Parker and Gordon Drummond; indeed, one frequently yearns for the emergence of some genuine specialist batsmen and bowlers, individuals who are capable of amassing more than the occasional pretty 20 or trundling through overs at 75mph. In which light, it would surely be preferable if the powers-that-be had invested in someone of the stature of Craig McDermott – as the Irish have done – to become their new bowling coach.

That move sent out a resounding signal to the other Associates about the scale of Ireland's ambitions. Now, they have Phil Simmons and McDermott; the Scots, in contrast, seem disinclined to change their coaching structure and have recently talked about nearly everything else – such as potential European championships, a new national ground and revamped domestic regional competition – rather than address one of the Caledonian game's most glaring deficiencies. Namely, the failure of most of their main players to produce consistent standards of truly professional cricket.

There has been plenty of discussion on this site – and elsewhere – about the current standard of the sport in the land which produced Mike Denness and Dougie Brown, Gavin Hamilton and Craig Wright. Some people blame the players for lack of application, or claim they spend too much time training and not enough out in the middle. Others declare that the buck has to stop with those who are paid to enhance standards and work with full-time contracted staff to heighten their performance levels.

On this question, and irrespective of the unconvincing excuses offered by the apologists, there is no doubt that too many of the elite players have either become stuck in neutral gear or actually gone into reverse. How many Scots scored 100 in the CB 40 this year? How many even managed 50s? Or took a four-for, let alone a five-for on some helpful pitches? Even allowing for the dismal weather, the fact that the answer can be supplied on the fingers of one hand tells its own story. And if the present coaches can't transform that scenario, we should be looking for those who can make a difference.

McDermott's hiring is a genuine coup for Ireland. Carter, by comparison, might offer a few transient thrills, for those who relish seeing cricket balls being despatched into the tennis courts at the Grange. But his interest in Scotland has only come after his exit from Warwickshire and we shouldn't forget that.