Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes believes the criticism directed at Gordon Strachan after Scotland’s 3-0 defeat in Slovakia has been unfair.
Scotland sit fourth in their World Cup qualifying group after taking four points from their opening matches against Malta, Lithuania and Slovakia.
A 5-1 victory in Malta was the perfect way to start the campaign but last Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Lithuania and Tuesday’s loss in Trnava dented Scotland’s chances of returning to a major tournament for the first time since the 1998 World Cup.
Strachan will hold discussions with the Scottish FA over the next few days to review recent results and the former Celtic manager is understood to be considering his position.
The 59-year-old, who succeeded Craig Levein, signed a two-year deal after failing to lead the national team to Euro 2016.
But McInnes feels Strachan remains the right man to be in charge at Hampden.
He said: “It saddens and angers me to see the level of criticism directed at Gordon. Without question, for me we have the best manager. We all thought that at the start of the campaign and it hasn’t changed.
“The two results were disappointing but we are still in this group. We can qualify. So, it’s important for people to get behind the manager and behind the team.
“The fallout from the performances, I get that because managers get criticised. But the manager and the players need all the help they can get.
“They need everyone to stick together for this England game on November 11 because that will give us the best chance.
“We are good enough to qualify from this group, we need things to go for us but it’s possible.”
The Dons, who face Ross County at Pittodrie tomorrow, have been boosted by the news that captain Ryan Jack could return from a knee injury for next week’s Betfred Cup semi-final against Morton.
McInnes said: “Ryan Jack is back training again, he’s progressing brilliantly again.
“He has a follow-up appointment with the surgeon and we expect him to get the green light to start playing again.
“He will be back in full training next week and that will be a huge boost.
“Ryan had started the season extremely well, so getting him playing again will be like a new signing.
“The maturity he showed this season was great. There was a bit more all-action about him and he was snapping into tackles.
“I was really pleased with where he was and it was such a shame he got injured when he did. If he can pick up where he left off it would be a massive boost for us all.”
