THE PAIN GAME
I felt the world was caving in after Haifa, says McLeish
ALEX McLEISH has revealed the personal impact of Scotland’s recent failures, admitting he felt ‘the world was caving in’ following last week’s nightmare defeat to Israel.
The 59-year-old has faced fierce public criticism over a record that now stands at six losses from eight games since taking charge of the national side for a second time.
And, while adamant he can see a brighter future ahead, McLeish insisted there would be no hiding place for him or his players when they seek to revive their Nations League hopes in next month’s decisive double-header.
Scotland require at least a point against Albania in Shkoder on November 17 to know that victory over Israel at Hampden three days later would guarantee them top spot in the group and a Euro 2020 play-off.
The pressure has been cranked up by the shambolic 2-1 reverse in Haifa last Thursday evening that saw McLeish’s side booed from the field by the Tartan Army.
While encouraged by aspects of Sunday’s 3-1 friendly defeat to Portugal, the ex-Rangers manager admitted he
had felt the heat after the Israel game. ‘God, aye — of course you do,’ said McLeish. ‘I don’t think I’d be human if I didn’t feel it over the weekend. ‘That was pretty horrible and then we knew we were facing Portugal. ‘You feel as if the world is caving in on you and then you get that thing the next day when you wake up after a half-decent sleep thanks to a sleeping pill and you go again. You pick yourself up. ‘I’ve not walked in your shoes — you guys have pressure and I’ve grown to understand that over the years and we’re the same. As Fergie once said: “Football, bloody hell”. I don’t read (the personal attacks) but you educate me on some vitriolic things that have been said. ‘Listen, if you look at the social media since time began it’s a place for that. It’s a window for that sort of stuff.’ McLeish will spend the coming weeks weighing up whether to stick with the back four deployed against Portugal or revert to a 3-5-2 formation. Regardless of tactics, however, he recognises there is no option but for Scotland to bounce back and dispel the mounting sense of gloom surrounding their fortunes. ‘That’s got to be the way we look at it and go for the next game,’ said McLeish. ‘The next game is one where there is no hiding place. ‘That’s where we have to do it. ‘We will have a look at whether or not this system against Portugal is better than the one used previously against Albania and Israel.’ McLeish was pressed on whether there could be places for some of the older players left out of his plans, including former national skipper Darren Fletcher. But it is namesake Steven — with two goals in his last four appearances for Sheffield Wednesday — who seems more likely to earn a recall. ‘There is a place for experienced players but Darren’s not been playing football,’ added McLeish. ‘I’ve spoken to Darren. ‘He’s not been in the team (at Stoke City). Most of the guys Gordon (Strachan) had have not been playing in the last six months. ‘Steven Fletcher is back on the scene at Sheffield Wednesday and we’ll look at that with interest. ‘Don’t get me wrong, I love the guys with nous and a little bit of experience. I know what a difference it makes in terms of players with experience — such as Darren.’ Introducing another striker could become all the more important if Leigh Griffiths continues to make himself unavailable. McLeish, however, insisted he had no issue with the Celtic man — who last week withdrew from the squad to work on his ‘fitness’ — and claimed the call-offs did not reflect the mood within the camp. ‘I believe there is a good camaraderie and over the get-togethers I’ve seen that,’ he added. ‘The Griffiths one is remarkable how it gets blown up. I spoke to Leigh and we had what I felt was an amicable conversation.’ The former Rangers manager also didn’t rule out going back to James McArthur. The Crystal Palace midfielder has asked not to be considered for Scotland because of a niggling back problem. ‘Listen, you can definitely try,’ added McLeish. ‘I’d have liked James to have been with us from the beginning of the campaign.’