Strachan’s time up if Scots are trumped in Vilnius

Scotland must record win to stave off failure No 10

Alot has happened since January 15 2013. We have had an independence referendum, a vote for Brexit and, across the pond, the Americans handed the keys to the White House to an absolute numpty.

What has helped ease us Scots through all the political mayhem has been the comforting sight of Gordon Strachan in the dugout, ready to lead the country’s football team to the finals of tournaments.

At least, that was the plan when he answered the “Strachan SOS” call that went out in Belgium from the Tartan Army after defeat for the side then led by new Hearts manager Craig Levein.

Alas, the wee man’s time in charge may be nearing its end.

If they fail to win in Vilnius tonight then it will be qualification failure No 10 (yes, you read that right) for Scotland since the glory day in the Stade de France as we opened the World Cup against the Brazilians back in 1998.

The kilts worn by the players in Paris have been gathering dust ever since.

Strachan can hardly be blamed for not getting his players to Brazil in 2014 – the damage was done under Levein’s stewardship.

However, he was at the helm two years later when the Tartan Army suffered the frustration and embarrassment of watching the European Championships on TV as fans of Northern Ireland, Wales and England cheered on their sides in France.

So if he oversees another failed campaign then surely Strachan has to either jump or get pushed.

Hopefully, it doesn’t come to that and the dream lives on at least beyond Monday’s home match against Malta.

The two final fixtures in early October still look daunting – Slovakia at home then Slovenia away – but six points out of six against the Lithuanians and Maltese will probably have all us hopeless romantics believing again.

If not, we can always give Donald Trump, he with the tartan bloodline, a phone after he gets impeached.

Who knows, his media conferences might even be more entertaining than those hosted by Strachan in his prime.

I can almost hear the chant now: “Make Scotland Great Again!”