GOING PAINS
ALEX DYER admits it’s a big wrench to leave Scotland just before Steve Clarke gets the squad to Euro 2021.
The Kilmarnock gaffer feels, however, it was unfair on both club and country to stay as No.2 having been appointed full-time gaffer at Rugby Park.
Dyer loved his spell on the international scene with Clarke and says he’s missing it already.
To add to his agony, the 54-year-old feels he’d be at the rearranged Euros next summer as the gaffer will get the squad through the play-offs.
Dyer would love to do it again, but believes he had to do the right thing and stand aside for successor John Carver.
He said: “It’s a big wrench. I love working with the gaffer and working for Scotland.
“It’s been a proud moment, but this is my true calling and I have to make sure I do this right
BY CRAIG SWAN and concentrate 100 per cent. I don’t want to let anyone down at Kilmarnock or at Scotland.
“I spoke to the gaffer and we had a good chat about it.
“He was brilliant about it, he understands and he gave me good advice.
“He knows I have got to concentrate on this. It would be unfair to be on Scotland duty and not here where I am needed.
“I have a good assistant. Andy Millen could take charge any time, but it wouldn’t be right as this is my job.
“I still want Scotland to get to the Euros and we will get there because we have got a good group of boys and a good manager. John Carver will step in and do a good job, I have got no doubt about that.
“I miss it already, but that’s life. I have got to move on. If the opportunity ever comes back again and it’s right for me, I will grab it, but at this present time I have to focus on this football club and give it 100 per cent.
“It wasn’t an automatic decision, but I always knew that if I got the Killie job, it would be hard for me to do both.
“I don’t want to go there and be thinking about Kilmarnock, especially when we’re in the Betfred Cup.
“We have to concentrate on those games, cups are important for us. We want to do the very best we can in those games.” Dyer has plenty on his plate at Rugby Park with the squad still trying to claim their first win of the campaign.
They will try to break their duck against Dundee United tomorrow, but will do so without the injured Alan Power.
The Irishman faces a spell on the sidelines and Dyer said: “He will be out for a few weeks. It’s a big loss, he’s an ever-present.
“He is a good footballer, he can play, pass, he’s aggressive, he can do mostly everything you need at this level.
“Now it’s up to someone else to control that area.”
Youssouf Mulumbu can be the man to take on that job having returned to the club for a training spell.
Dyer said: “We know him well but I wouldn’t bring anyone back for sentimental reasons, only if he will be able to help us.”