Goal mouth

Everybody isn’t turning handstands at the prospect of Walter Smith being appointed Scotland coach for a second time.

It’s about time the media asked the Tartan Army for their opinion on this and about time, too, the fans had a say in appointing the national coach. For far too long the fans have had to endure Old Firm-affiliated managers who select Old Firm players, including semiretired former players who sit on English League dug-out benches and only get a chance to play football when called up for the Scotland squad.

Same thing about trying to secure NI manager Michael O’neill, who at least was managing his home country, something that doesn’t seem to concern the hapless SFA. And when they do get around to appointing a home-grown manager they are old firm fixated. Little wonder the other home nations fare better than Scotland. Mind you, homegrown management didn’t work for Scotland’s rugby team in Cardiff on Saturday!

IAN JOHNSTONE Formandrive, Peterhead