The Edinburgh East MSP has also been vocal about calling for the SNP to welcome back those former members who defected to Alba when Mr Salmond formed a breakaway party.
Salmond has also hit out over the gender reform legislation claiming it undid 15 years of work on the independence cause.
After Ms Sturgeon’s emotional resignation yesterday, Ms Regan was conciliatory in her response.
She said: “Over eight years of being leader of the SNP and FM with eight election wins she leaves a great legacy behind.
“I really wish Nicola Sturgeon all the best in the future and I thank her for her determined leadership which has improved the lives of many in Scotland.”
But should she succeed, Ms Regan would represent another face on a new generation of the SNP pushing aside the establishment leadership.