Collins says coaches must carry the can

John Collins insists Scottish football’s coaches must shoulder the blame for the country’s failure to qualify for a major tournament since 1998.

“When I played, it was expected that we would qualify for World Cups and European Championships. It was the norm,” he says.

“However, things have moved on in world football and we haven’t – that is the reality. While other countries have moved on, our nation has stagnated.

“Why? Well, the question will always be: ‘Is it the players, or is it the coaching?’. For me, it is definitely the coaching.

“Coaches develop players, not the other way around.

“Club coaches and national association coaches are working with players every day.

“So we have to get our coaching sorted out. People don’t like hearing that in Scotland, but that is the reality.

“It is nothing to do with being a small country.

“Small countries are proving you can get to World Cup Finals and European Championships.

“The need is for coaches to develop young players who can deal with their football, that are mentally strong and tactically aware. You have to work on every category.

“We need to sort it out because we need to be there.

“The whole nation is desperate for us to get back to the big events.

“I know I always thought how much I would love to take my boy to a Finals – and still would now.”

While Collins is critical of the failures of the recent past, he hasn’t given up hope of his dream becoming a reality.

“We got a bit closer the last time. In the last year, you can definitely see progress,” he says.

“So fingers crossed we can get off to a good start in the next campaign. Time will tell.

“Alex McLeish has got a big job. Expectations have dropped, so that may be beneficial for the manager.

“The optimism has kind of waned over the last few years. But there is still hope.

“We have to get off to a good start. That is the key to any campaign. Being at the top of the group takes the pressure off.”