Malky’s Scot the job for now

MALKY MACKAY has taken temporary charge of Scotland while the FA search for a replacement for Gordon Strachan.

Strachan stepped down on Thursday after failing to reach next year’s World Cup finals in Russia.

Performance director Mackay will take charge for the friendly against Holland in Aberdeen on November 9.

Mackay is also in the running to take permanent charge with favourite David Moyes willing to talk to the SFA but said to prefer a return ® to club management. Former Cardiff and Wigan boss Mackay was a controversial choice as performance director after being the subject of an 11-month investigation into alleged racist, sexist and homophobic text messages.

SFA chief executive Stewart Regan said yesterday: “Malky has got a big job to do and a number of challenges that he is working on at the moment.

“To be fair to Malky, he has responded to the board’s request. We asked him to take the team in Aberdeen and he was delighted to do so.

“As far as Malky is concerned, he will then focus on his performance responsibilities.

“We haven’t discussed anything further as far as the recruitment campaign is concerned.” ¬ BRUCE ARENA yesterday quit as United States manager after failing to qualify for Russia 2018. The US missed out after their shock 2-1 defeat in Trinidad and Tobago on Tuesday.