DEL: STRACH WAS SO CLOSE TO BEING HERO
McInnes: Strachan so close to being a hero
AS the search for a successor to Gordon Strachan begins, Derek McInnes shows no signs that managing Scotland is high on his agenda.
But the Aberdeen boss insists Strachan leaves a legacy that will benefit whoever his successor is as he feels the national gaffer came within a whisker of being a hero with Scotland’s late surge in the World Cup qualifiers.
McInnes says any footballer worth is salt would love to play for or manage his country but he wondered whether Strachan had enough drive to want to continue after his failure to qualify for Russia.
However, he reckons there is enough young talent around for a new boss to build on.
McInnes said: “If you look at the last six Scotland results you’d be pleased not only with the displays but also the points return.
“When we got the last-minute winner against Slovakia you think this is us, we are peaking at the right time and going to get the job done after it seemed a hopeless cause just a few games into the campaign.
“It is tough because Gordon is a small step away from being a hero and really turning things around. Not many people gave him much hope after the opening games.
“It is difficult but there is a lot of encouragement. There are a lot of good, young Scottish players who have their best years ahead of them.
“We were close to qualifying but there has been a lot of doom and gloom. That comes from a failed campaign and ultimately that is what it is.”
McInnes underlined his commitment to his high-flying Reds as they prepare for action against Hibs at Easter Road tomorrow, aiming for a ninth Premiership game without defeat as they sit alongside Celtic who are top of the table on goal difference.
The Easter Road outfit, he says, enhance Scottish football’s top tier with their big crowds.
McInnes added: “Sometimes clubs need to take a step back to go forward again. For a long time Hibs were in the top flight but weren’t doing much.
“They were outside the top six for a few years and sometimes it takes a club to go down and come up with momentum. It’s clear that is the case now.
“Neil Lennon has them moving the right way and has assembled a good squad. The fact they can go to Ibrox and win and Parkhead and get a draw shows they are a good team.
“They will be a main challenger over the next few years. They have the fanbase, have recruited well and have a boss who will drive them to success.”