DESERVED A FINALS
MAURICE MALPAS cherished every moment of playing in three major finals for Scotland.
And the 55-year-old admits he’s gutted the dream of competing in either a World Cup or a European Championship looks set to end in despair for the likes of Darren Fletcher and other veteran members of the current squad.
Gordon Strachan’s side fell agonisingly short of reaching the play-offs for next summer’s World Cup after being held to a 2-2 draw in Sunday’s final Group F clash in Slovenia.
Malpas, who won 55 caps, played on the world stage at Mexico ‘86, Italy four years later and was also part of the Scotland squad that travelled to Sweden for Euro ‘92.
The Dundee United legend, who helped conduct the quarter-final draw for the Irn Bru Cup at the Forth Bridges yesterday, said: “Guys like Darren Fletcher, for being such a good player never to have played in any major finals – it will be disappointing for him.
“He’s played for Manchester United and in the Champions League and he’s been great for Scotland but the poor lad’s never had a chance to experience a finals.
“As you get older you get greedier and you’re Dundee Utd v Crusaders The New Saints v Queen of the South Inverness CT v Falkirk Dumbarton v Raith Rovers ● Ties to be played on weekend of November 11/12 desperate to qualify. When you’re younger you think, ‘it will happen next time’. Darren has never had the chance to do that.
“Playing at finals make you a better player. I went to Mexico only a kid but I came back a better player.”
Strachan’s future as boss is in doubt following two failed campaigns and Malpas admits he expects the 60-year-old to walk.
He said: “I’m not sure the SFA will want to get rid of Gordon but I’m also not sure he wants to stay.”
Malpas helped draw United at home to Irish side Crusaders in the cup but admits promotion is the most important thing.
He said: “It’s a big year, everyone is expecting them to go up and they’ve got to. If they can pick their performances up they’ll be handful to stop.”