No shortage of candidates but SFA right to take time

By Alex Smith

Published:

IAM not averse to the SFA casting the net far and wide for the next Scotland manager. If you tick all the boxes then your nationality should not come into the equation.

I would temper that statement, however, by insisting there are more than enough candidates from our country, who are qualified to do the job.

A lot of the Tartan Army troops are craving a big name, but I doubt if their lofty expectations will be met.

What is important is that the SFA takes its time in making sure the next appointment is the right one.

Within minutes of George Burley being dismissed, Craig Levein was installed as the favourite – but the SFA has to look at what it wants from the next manager.

Someone like Craig Levein is fine by me, but then so would be so many other men.

Graeme Souness has been out of a job for a while, but remains an excellent manager and a fiercely proud Scot who commands respect.

Eric Black speaks five languages, has worked at a high level in England and has all the qualifications.

Then you have someone like Alex Miller, who I guarantee has not been mentioned anywhere. Why? He is not the charismatic figure the media wants, but I can assure you he is one of the very best coaches around.

He served his apprenticeship with Morton and St Mirren before spending a decade at Hibernian. He had a year at Aberdeen followed by six years at Liverpool and, recently, a spell in Japan.

His CV is as good as anyone’s but in all likelihood he will not be considered, which is a shame.

We have some terrific coaches like Walter Smith, who did a great job previously, Archie Knox and Miller. Craig Brown, too, is another obvious candidate for me. Remember, he was the last manager to guide Scotland to a major finals, which puts him ahead of every other candidate.

You can add in Jim Jefferies, Jimmy Calderwood and John Collins to the mix. Jimmy is an interesting one as he is available and I would imagine he meets the criteria in that he can organise a team and get the best out of them.

However, one bad result and his cup shocks at Aberdeen would be held against him by many, which is a pity as he is a good, talented, experienced campaigner. I am sure many more names will come into the public domain quickly but, remember, this race need not be run in a fortnight.

We do not play again until March and there is no list of players out there who have fallen off the radar.

Scotland has a squad of 30 players who could be considered internationals and then there are three or four who get called up due to their form with their clubs.

What we need, regardless of their credentials or nationality, is a coach who can get results.

As for the now departed manager – George Burley will no doubt be licking his wounds.

He will be analysing the incidents which went against him in his 22-month tenure.

I can understand why he wanted to carry on but I can also understand why the SFA felt it was too big a gamble to take following the failed World Cup campaign and the recent two friendly results.

Sometimes, even when you meet all the criteria, it just does not go for you.

There are no guarantees on the international stage.