Walter is a wily old fox — Dodds

WALTER Smith won’t be behind the times if the SFA turn back the clock to offer him the Scotland manager’s job.

That is the view of former Scotland, Dundee and Dundee United striker Billy Dodds, who feels Smith would still be a good appointment despite preparing to celebrate his 70th birthday l ater t his month.

Smith, who enjoyed a relatively successful spell in charge of the national team between late 2004 and early 2007, i s being seriously considered by the beleaguered SFA to replace Gordon Strachan after the governing body’s failure to lure No 1 target Michael O’Neill from Nor thern Ireland.

He may notch up his three score and 10 on February 24 but Dodds still feels Smith has something to offer the country, probably working with a younger coach.

Asked if age would be a barrier to a second stint at Hampden, Dodds said: “No because you know what he can do.

“For me it would be about whether he wants to go back into the pressure pot.

“It probably suits Walter because it is full-time but not full-time on the training ground. The pressure is still there but he can handle that.

“He is a wily fox, always has been. He knows how to handle the press and knows how to handle big pressure situations.

“Don’t get me wrong, it’s a modern-day game and management is changing so much.

“But Alex Ferguson changed with the times and I think Walter knows how to change with the times.”

Walter Smith could be set for a recall to manage Scotland.