Fans must be patient with Clarke: Levein

Craig Levein insists the Tartan Army must show patience if Steve Clarke is to get Scotland back on track.

The appointment of the former Kilmarnock boss to the Hampden hot seat has gone down well with supporters.

But Levein knows all too well how quickly things can turn against the national team boss after his own spell in charge of the Scots.

He was welcomed into the job on the back of impressive work at Dundee United but was sacked in November 2012 after three years in charge as the side’s latest qualifying disaster saw the fans turn against him.

Now the Hearts boss has urged the Tartan Army to give Clarke the breathing space he needs to transform the team’s fortunes, as he prepares for his first game in charge in the crucial Euro 2020 qualifier against Cyprus in little more than a fortnight’s time.

The Hearts boss said: “I think it’s a really good appointment.

“Everyone is so desperate to see the national team climb the rankings and getting to tournaments. I was fortunate enough to go to Italy in 1990 and it’s one of those things that will live in my memory because it was such a significant thing.

“We all as Scottish supporters are in a bit of a hurry to get back to those days but we need to build something before we can get back there on a consistent basis. The key there is to have some patience.

“I know there’s a lot of good young kids coming through at lots of different clubs.

“I’m very, very confident we will get back to those days but we just have to be patient. If we lose the first game then calmness is required. But I absolutely believe Stevie is the right man for the job.”

Clarke did wonders at Kilmarnock during his 20 months in charge.

But Levein warned the former West Brom and Reading boss he will have to get used to an altogether different challenge as he switches to the international game with its long breaks between meet-ups.

He said: “The biggest thing for me is the down time and how he copes with that.

“If you’re used to being day in, day out in the firing line, on the touchline and taking training then it’s such a different mentality.”