THE second in charge of the Glasgow 2014 Games has quit just three months before the event's opening ceremony.

Deputy Chief Executive Ty Speer announced he would stand down yesterday saying he was pursuing another, unspecified job overseas.

The American, who has been in post since November 2012, said he had already achieved his "core mission" of raising more than £100 million in commercial sponsorship for the Games.

Mr Speer will his post leave early next week.

He refused to say where he is going, citing commercial confidentiality. He also declined to say whether he had forgone a 'golden handcuffs' deal offered to senior executives to make sure they saw out the Commonwealth Games.

Mr Speer, who previously worked at the London Olympics, said: "I am taking a job outside the UK. After seven great years here, I am going to try a new place. The job needs to be confidential but an announcement will be made in due course.

"It it is outside of the games and major events industry entirely."

Mr Speer, from Atlanta, George, said he wasn't heading to either Brazil or Australia, which are hosting the next Olympic and Commonwealth Games.

Mr Speer declined to say how much notice he was supposed to serve, only saying that Glasgow 2014 Chief Executive, David Grevemberg, was happy.

"This is a departure I am comfortable with and that David is comfortable with.

"We have talked about it, the timing, and we both feel fine about it and that it makes sense considering exactly where things are.

"I came here to do a core mission of making sure that the funding target that was set by the organising committee of £100m was delivered. We have hit that £100m."

Mr Speer declined to "get in to contractual details" but said: "I have been paid to do the job for the time I have been here and that is all."

Asked to sum up his performance, he said: "I don't want to grade my own homework."

His departure comes after Glasgow 2014 was forced to drop the big "wow" of its opening ceremony, the demolition of six high-rises in the Red Road. Mr Speer, however, said he believed the Games were going to be fantastic.

He said: "I am absolutely 100% that this will be an amazing 11 days for Glasgow - you will have a ball"

Asked if he would be attending any of the events, he said: "Maybe, if I am lucky, I shall get an invitation."

Mr Speer will not be replaced.

david.leask@eveningtimes.co.uk