This smacks of change for the sake of change but that’s the Scotland way
SAYS CRAIG LEVEIN
CRAIG LEVEIN is adamant Gordon Strachan was the best man to lead Scotland to a major tournament and is hugely disappointed with the decision to ditch him.
The Hearts manager is in no doubt that had the SFA kept faith for a third qualifying campaign Strachan would have guided the country to Euro 2020.
Levein – replaced as Scotland boss by Strachan in 2012 after three years in charge – insists his successor would have reaped the benefits from some of the best young talent the country has produced in decades maturing into top-class international players.
The 52-year-old was instrumental in appointing Mark Wotte to the performance director role during his time in charge and played a key part in launching the regional performance schools the Tynecastle boss believes are coming to fruition.
Levein said: “Gordon did a really good job. I see progress. I would have loved to see him stay on, I really would.
“I don’t think there is anybody better. Right now we’ve got something to build. Keep the faith, as they say. We need to take a step back and look at what’s happening, look at what the bigger picture is.
“I don’t see a lot of folk at our Under-17s or 15s doing articles on the ones for the future. I don’t see it. Trust me, it’s happening. In three years I’ll say, ‘I told you so.’ If I’m still here!
“There is no point in change for change’s sake but that’s Scotland – ‘It’s not working, let’s change it.’
“Wait a minute, we’ve got some good players coming along. Ah, forget about that. Let’s have a new manager. Kieran Tierney has appeared on the scene, Andy Robertson has appeared on the scene. Maybe John Souttar will appear on the scene next – or somebody else.
“Before you know it you are starting to get better quality younger players. And I think we’ve missed that. We haven’t had better quality younger players for a long time.
“Celtic and Rangers have better players. Aberdeen have better players. Motherwell and Hamilton have better players.
“Everybody has better players and I see that every week. As a by-product of what we’re trying to do the national team will improve.
“We are on the right track, absolutely. Just be patient. That’s something we don’t do very well. But it’s getting better.”
Levein feels sorry for the players with Scotland’s absence from a major finals set to run to at least 22 years.
He added: “Gordon is in the same position as me in that he was fortunate enough to play at a time when we qualified regularly.
“I’ve been to a World Cup, I’ve played in a World Cup. Gordon has done that as well. The ones I feel sorry for are the players.
“Christophe Berra for example – someone who has battled away for all these years and he’s never managed to get to a tournament.
“The ones who suffer most are the players. You saw these boys tried their best. Sometimes we need to acknowledge that – and not get too down on everybody.”