Jackie: Scots look fit for finals
Jackie McNamara reckons Michael O’Neill would inherit a squad ready to qualify for a major finals if he takes on the Scotland job.
The SFA are in talks with the Northern Ireland gaffer and want him to lead the country into the Euro 2020 qualifiers.
McNamara, who was part of the last Scotland side to reach a tournament in 1998, says it’s an attractive job for anyone.
And he’s convinced that if O’Neill takes over, he’ll have enough quality – like Liverpool defender Andy Robertson - to end our 22-year barren run.
McNamara said: “All the talk is of Michael taking over – there doesn’t seem to be anyone else in the frame.
“He has achieved incredible success with Northern Ireland. Maybe he has taken them as far as he can. Certainly, if he takes the Scotland job he’ll have a real chance of doing well because we have great young players coming through.
“Boys like Robertson and Kieran Tierney are coming into the best stage of their career and it’s a good time for change with Scotland.
“I was asked in the summer not long after Robertson arrived at Liverpool whether he could get into their team.
“I had no doubts about it because he has so much desire to succeed. You can’t teach that.
“We definitely have the talent to be a success.
“I know we say that before every campaign but I genuinely believe it.
“Michael would do well for us. The fact he isn’t Scottish doesn’t matter. All that matters is qualifying.
“There will be huge pressure because it has been 20 years since we qualified.
“But he experienced the same at Northern Ireland.
“Look at the two squads. Who in their team would get into the Scotland side?
“I’ve come across him a few times because he lives in Edinburgh and I played against him a few times when he was at Hibs.”
Scot land wi l l discover their UEFA Nations League opponents on Wednesday.
It’s a new format and Jackie said: “The Nations League has two positives. It gives us an extra chance of qualifying for the Euros and it also takes away a lot of friendlies.
“It has come at a good time for Scotland and could be a real positive for us.”
Scotland could be pitched into a group with Estonia.
That would rekindle memories of “the game that never was” in Tallinn 22 years ago. McNamara said: “That was supposed to be my first start for Scotland so I was buzzing.
“But the elation turned to deflation when they didn’t turn up. I never put a foot wrong, which didn’t happen often.
“It was a bit of a surreal experience, a real farce.”