Strachan signs new contract

GORDON Strachan last night signed a two-year contract extension to remain as manager of Scotland. Sportsmail revealed on Tuesday that Strachan wanted his future to be finalised by this weekend. The decision was officially announced in a statement on the SFA website. Moved by the support given to the management and team despite their failure to qualify for Euro 2016, the 58-year-old will

now have another crack at ending the national team’s 18- year absence from major finals.

A World Cup qualifying group f eaturing England, Slovakia, Slovenia — and just one automatic place in the 2018 finals in Russia — offers no guarantees.

Confirming that newly-appointed Motherwell manager Mark McGhee and Stuart McCall will remain as his right-hand men, however, Strachan said: ‘It is an honour and a privilege to manage my country and, in a way, that has made the disappointment of not qualifying for Euro 2016 all the more profound.

‘Nonetheless, the reaction from the supporters throughout the campaign, and in particular from those who travelled to Faro in their thousands, is an experience that will live with me for the rest of my life. It was a recognition that the players’ efforts had been appreciated.

‘That appreciation and goodwill has also been apparent in the messages of support I have received this week, from personal emails and letters, to chats in the street.

‘I want the best for our country and for those players. I believe we can make Scotland proud in the upcoming qualifiers.

‘For that reason, I am delighted to have been asked to continue in my role and I look forward to working with my backroom staff and the players to improve on the previous campaign and l ook forward to the next World Cup qualifiers with optimism.’

Scottish FA Chief Executive St e wart Regan wel c o med Strachan’s decision to commit himself for another campaign, citing a widely-held view the team have progressed despite the failure to reach next summer’s finals in France.

He said: ‘ The Board of the Scottish FA has been consistent in our belief that Gordon should continue the good work that has been apparent i n many performances and results during the previous campaign.

‘The supporters and the players have been overwhelming in their view that Gordon is the national coach to lead us into the World Cup qualifying campaign. The mutual respect and stability that exists is essential to our future success and we all look forward to planning for Russia 2018.’

Speaking as he prepares to take control of Motherwell against Celtic in the first game of his second spell, McGhee confirmed his desire to remain by Strachan’s side.

‘If Gordon stays, I’ll be staying,’ he said.

‘The club are happy with that, Gordon i s happy with that, Stewart Regan and Alan McRae are happy with that, so it’s fine.

‘We are clear with the club and with Gordon and Stewart that I can continue to do the Scotland job while I’m working here.

‘Gordon is brilliant. I don’t think anyone should doubt they have a fantastic coach and a fantastic manager leading the country.’

The doubts arose over Strachan’s intentions following the deep disappointment of the 2-2 draw with Poland which ended any hopes of qualification.

After a strong start to the campaign which garnered 10 points from a possible 15, the Scots ran out of steam, taking just five points from their final five games.

Coach Stuart McCall believes a stirring reception from the 12,000strong Tartan Army in Faro was a f actor i n swaying Strachan’s decision.

‘We are still getting over last week,’ t he f ormer Rangers manager told the BBC.

‘It’s bitterly disappointing and we’re still hurting.

‘Expectation levels had risen. Gordon’s a proud man and we all realise we’ve failed in what we wanted to do.

‘I understand Gordon having a bit of soul searching, but I think the key for him was not only the support he got from the fans, but from the players and staff.

‘He knows he’s wanted and if the players want you that’s a huge thing.’

Expressing the popular view that Strachan remains the best man f or the j ob, f ormer Scotland captain Richard Gough said on the Ladbrokes website: ‘Nobody could have done better than Gordon. The players love him and he has galvanised the squad.’