The miracle-worker tag is something Steve Clarke is not too comfortable with.
But if it takes pressure off his Scotland players and keeps getting results, it is one he is happy to embrace.
Clarke was lauded for his work at Kilmarnock, dragging them from the foot of the Premiership to qualifying for Europe.
He was a hugely popular appointment for the Scotland job and got his reign off to a winning start against Cyprus.
But his credentials will be tested to the maximum in Brussels tonight as the number one-ranked team in the world takes to the field looking to continue its 100% record in European championship qualfying.
Clarke said: “It’s certainly an extra pressure when everyone’s looking at you and thinking you’re doing something really special.
“It’s been great. The backing I’ve had since I was appointed has been fantastic and I hope it lasts. But you are always beholden to your players. They will decide if you are a good coach or a good manager.
“It probably takes a little bit off the players because everyone looks and says ‘Steve Clarke has been fantastic as a manager’ – I don’t think I have been, I think my players were fantastic at Kilmarnock.
“It doesn’t matter who you are playing. You always have to go with the belief you can get a result otherwise there is no point in going.
“We’ve got good players in the squad, guys who play at a really high level and we just have to relish the challenge Belgium are going to give us.”
During his tenure at Rugby Park, Clarke had an impressive record taking his sides to Celtic and Rangers, but even that pales into comparison to what the national side will have to deal with at the King Baudouin Stadium.
He said: “It’s probably a bigger step up when you look at where the Belgians are, ranked number one in the world.
“A lot of people would have said that during the last World Cup they were pretty much favourites to go and win it. They didn’t manage to do that so they will be looking to make amends.” Familiar faces abound to British eyes in the Belgian line-up, but also to Clarke. He had Manchester United striker Romelu Lukaku on loan at West Brom during the 2012-13 season in which Lukaku scored 17 goals in 35 games.
Clarke added: “He came to West Brom and had gone to Chelsea as a young kid and failed to break into the team.
“I managed to persuade Chelsea to let him come up to the Midlands.
“We had a great season together.
“He scored 17 goals for us and we finished in a very good position in the Premier League. I’m delighted to see he’s gone on to great things.
“But I’m not surprised because his work ethic, even as a young man, was second to none. He was one of the players you’ve got to go out and say ‘Oi, you, inside – it’s time to rest your legs’.
“I’m delighted for him, although hopefully he doesn’t have such a good game against us. I wish him well for the future.
“Criticism comes with the territory.
“You’re at a big club, you don’t score the goals, you have a quiet spell like every striker does, the criticism will follow.
“Romelu’s got a good level-headed attitude and I’m sure he’ll work his way through it.”