Crunch time for men’s team in Nations League

Tuesday afternoon was a fairytale story for the Scotland women’s football team. The passion and delight was there for all to see when they qualified for the World Cup for the first time.

I met their manager Shelley Kerr when she was with Stirling University.

I was really impressed with her. She knew her stuff and the Scottish ladies clearly love playing for her.

The women’s game is growing all the time and the exposure it will get next summer from the World Cup finals will take it to another level.

Let’s hope the men can follow their lead.

We’re now at the stage with Alex McLeish’s side that results will start to matter.

First up it’s Belgium on Friday night but Albania on Monday is much more important.

The Nations League might be a bit confusing but we have to look at it as a real opportunity to qualify for Euro 2020.

This isn’t the best time for internationals because Rangers and Celtic players have already had a lot of European games and could do with a rest. And there have been a few calloffs for McLeish to deal with as well.

But it’s crucial that we start to build some momentum.

The draw for the main Euro 2020 qualifying group hasn’t been made yet but the Nations League could turn out to be our best shot of getting to the finals.

The draw for Euro 2020 hasn’t been made yet but the Nations League could turn out to be our best shot of getting to the finals

Pressure on McCann

It’s hard not to keep making the same points about Dundee and that’s not a good thing.

There needs to be an improvement – and soon.

Nobody likes to see a manager under pressure of losing his job but this is undeniably Neil McCann’s team now. He’s made a lot of summer signings. The owners will be keeping a close eye on attendances, that’s for sure.

You would think that Neil will at least get the next two games to try and find a way of turning things round.

It’s Rangers at Ibrox next and even though they lost to Celtic on Sunday, Steven Gerrard’s side will be big favourites to win that one.

Maybe that’s the type of match that will bring the best out of Dundee. They have got players in midfield who can keep the ball and hitting Rangers on the counter might suit them.

The pressure is off to an extent because nobody expects them to win.

It’s the week after when Hibs come to Dundee that is shaping up to be a huge game.

Smith won’t be out for long

From the moment I heard that Raith Rovers were struggling to even fill their bench at times, alarm bells started ringing.

And the type of hard-working and committed manager Barry Smith is, he would have needed serious reasons to resign as the club’s boss.

Knowing Barry, there must be a deep-rooted problem for him to walk away.

I certainly don’t think he’ll have a problem getting another job.

His record stacks up well against most and he’s a meticulous manager.

Yes, Raith just missed out on promotion last season, but the signs were positive for this year, after they went joint top with a 4-0 win on Saturday.

Hopefully Barry will be back in work soon.

Manager Shelley Kerr has led the Scottish women’s football team to the World Cup.