Smith backs SFA bid to recruit O’neill as next Scotland boss

Former SFA chief executive Gordon Smith has backed moves to make Michael O’neill the next Scotland manager.

Smith, who appointed George Burley and Craig Levein to their ill-fated stints at the helm, said: “I think he (O’neill) is a very strong candidate. He knows the environment very well, he knows what’s required. If you look at what he’s done for Northern Ireland with limited resources, I know he’s got some good players, but I do think in general Scotland have got a stronger squad than Northern Ireland have and yet he’s been successful.

“A lot of people would say it has to be a Scottish manager but he’s managed in Scotland, he’s played his football here so he knows the game in Scotland.”