JORDAN: FAILURE CAN EAT AWAY AT PLAYERS

FAILURE to qualify for a World Cup would “eat away” at Scotland players when their careers are over, according t o Joe Jordan.

The Scottish national side have not appeared at a major tournament since the 1998 World Cup i n France and qualification hopes for Russia 2018 are precariously balanced ahead of the visit of old rivals England to Hampden Park on Saturday.

Former Scotland striker Jordan never failed t o qualify for the World Cup during an i nternational career t hat spanned a decade and i s the only Scottish player to score in three of them, in 1974, 1978 and 1982.

Asked how those current Scotland players, who are closer to the end of their careers than the beginning, would feel if a World Cup finals appearance escaped them, he said:“I don’t know how they would respond to the question now but I can assure you later on in your career, after your career is finished and you settle down and take whatever direction you take, that is something that would be a regret.

“It would eat away at you definitely.”

He added: “Footballers have a short career and especially when you talk about qualification for the World Cup.

“It is (every) four years and if it doesn’t fall right for you, you might only get one or two qualification opportunities so you have to take it.”