BRAVEHEARTS AIM TO END PAIN

After two decades out of major tournaments, Nations League offer hope

SCOTLAND face Albania in their first Nations League match today with long-suffering fans hoping they can take the first step on the road to ending a 20-year absence from major tournaments.

The new competition is designed to replace international friendlies with more competitive matches and also provides a second route to qualification for the European Championship.

And with Glasgow’s Hampden Park one of the host venues for the tournament in 2020, it gives Alex McLeish’s team, thumped 40 by Belgium in a friendly on Friday, added incentive to qualify.

The Scots reached five successive World Cups between 1974 and 1990 thanks to top-quality players such as Kenny Dalglish, Graeme Souness, Denis Law, Billy Bremner and Archie Gemmill.

But two decades and 10 major international tournaments have passed since Scotland faced Brazil in the opening game of France 98.

A generation of Scots has been forced to look on enviously as other, smaller, nations such as Iceland, Croatia and neighbours Wales and Northern Ireland have qualified for major tournaments.

Managerial mistakes, lack of facilities, poor youth development and even genetics have been suggested as possible reasons for Scotland’s qualification woes.

Former Rangers, Brighton and Manchester City forward Gordon Smith — who was chief executive of the Scottish Football Association (SFA) from 2007 to 2010 — says everyone from the government down should shoulder some of the blame.

“There are a lot more nations aiming to qualify now and the standard has improved greatly but I think the biggest disappointment for Scotland is looking at nations the size of Iceland qualifying,” Smith told

Smith said Scotland lacks facilities, including indoor pitches, but that the government does not see building infrastructure as their duty with all the money washing around in the game.

SFA performance director Malky Mackay, who has responsibility for Project Brave, set up to develop young players, agrees that Scotland lacks sporting facilities.

Smith believes Scotland are slowly starting to reap the rewards for an increasing focus on youth development.

Smith is optimistic about the future and has faith that the current crop of Scotland players can finally bring the Tartan Army’s wait for a major tournament to an end.