Strachan says McLeish has earned chance

FORMER Scotland manager Gordon Strachan last night called for his successor Alex McLeish to be given the chance to qualify for the Euro 2020 finals – even if the national team comes up short in the Nations League.

McLeish’s side needs to do well in their final Group C League 1 double header against Albania in Shkoder and Israel in Glasgow next month to finish first and secure a Euro 2020 play-off spot.

The 59-year-old, whose charges were beaten 2-1 by Israel in Haifa last Thursday, will face calls to be sacked by members of the Tartan Army if he is unable to achieve his objective.

But Strachan, whose four-and-a-half-year spell in charge of his country came to an end last year when his men failed to secure a Russia 2018 play-off spot, believes McLeish should be allowed to lead the Euro 2020 qualifying campaign regardless.

“Managers say they’ve got a plan or a project, but if they’ve not won within four games questions are asked,” he said. “You can throw your project right out the window.

“But I think every manager should get at least one shot at a qualifying campaign. Alex just needs to take a look at the year, and what we’ve learnt about the team.

“I’ll tell you what doesn’t change – the hurt. Even after all these years in football, the hurt meter doesn’t go down.

“Alex will be feeling that at the moment. But, about 12 hours after a defeat, there’s a recovery thing which kicks in in your head, which says you’ve been through this, it’s horrible, but you’ve dealt with it before.”