We can’t blame the manager for all of Scotland’s problems
GARY McALLISTER has insisted that any criticism of Gordon Strachan is unjustified, and has backed the national manager to get the team back on track for the 2018 World Cup qualifiers.
The former Scotland captain appreciates that there is huge frustration the length and breadth of the country about the fact that it’s been 18 years since we were involved in a major tournament.
But he stresses it’s totally unfair that all the ills of our game during that period should be planted at the feet of Strachan, a fomer team-mate with both Leeds United and Coventry City.
McAllister told the Sunday Post: “This period is hard for all Scotland supporters to take because it’s at the start of the Euros and there is a mixture of jealousy and frustration that we’re not in France. I totally get that. I’m feeling it too.
“But we can’t hold Gordon responsible for everything. There has to be a balance.
“Listen, I know Gordon very well. He is a fine man and an excellent manager.
“Nobody will have been hurting more in the past eight or nine months than him. He wanted to be the man to take our nation to its first Finals in 18 years. He was gutted it didn’t happen.
“Now, though, we have to move on and focus on what’s coming next.
“There is no point on dwelling on the two friendly defeats last week. They’ve been and gone and he didn’t have his strongest squad with him.
“For a variety of reasons, both games were always going to be tough asks.
“We have a vital game away to Malta in September and at home to Lithuania in October. We have to be looking at six points to get us off to the next possible start. We can then look to build on that.
“From here on in it’s about getting behind the manager, his staff and the players. There is nothing to be gained by trying to blame Gordon for this, that and the next thing.
“That said, any criticism will only make him extra determined to succeed.
“And do you know what? I think Gordon will defy the odds and get us to Russia. There will be a pathway to the tournament through a play-off and we have to believe it is possible.”
McAllister has nothing but sympathy for the countless players, from Barry Ferguson to Craig Gordon, and managers such as Alex McLeish, Walter Smith and Craig Levein, who have all tried to get Scotland over the line but didn’t manage to do so.
He was fortunate enough to be at Italia 90, the Euros in 1992 and 1996 and was also in the travelling party for the 1998 World Cup, even though he couldn’t participate through injury.
It’s given him some career highlights – albeit the unfortunate penalty miss against England in 1996 doesn’t feature in that – and he hopes the current squad can sample it all in 2018.
He said: “Listen, I’m a proud Scotsman and helping my country to reach major Finals has meant so much to me. I feel proud and privileged to have been a part of such memorable events.
“I don’t need to remind anyone that, on a personal level, it didn’t always go to plan but certain things can’t be taken away.
“But what I want is to see new heroes emerging and someone doing something really memorable to get us to Russia.
“We don’t want another generation going through their careers without having been involved. However, it’s all easier said than done.
“I’m well aware that the section is tough and England have some worldclass players in their team – such as Wayne Rooney and Joe Hart. They then have quality players still to peak such as Marcus Rashford, Jon Stones, Ross Barkley and Jack Wilshere.
“But Gordon will make sure there isn’t an inferiority complex when we go to play them at Wembley in November. Yes, it will be an unbelievably tough tie but it’s not impossible.
“It will be a derby match and with the Tartan Army giving good vocal support, then anything is possible.
“We have to remain positive and stay together. This is not the time to be pulling in different directions.”