Strachan Uncertain About Future

Getty Images

An "emotional" Gordon Strachan refused to be drawn on whether he wishes to remain as Scotland manager for the 2018 World Cup qualifying campaign.

Instead, he spoke of a "special night" when around 12,000 Scotland fans attended the 6-0 win over Gibraltar in Faro in their last Euro 2016 qualifier.

"I am so proud to be the Scotland manager. It's a great job," he said.

"There are disappointments along the way, that's for sure, but it has been a fantastic experience."

Scotland finished fourth in Group D, three points behind the Republic of Ireland, who enter a play-off over two legs for a place in France.

Under 58-year-old Strachan, Scotland have won 12 matches, lost eight and drawn five.

Gordon Strachan, flanked by Johnny Russell and Darren Fletcher

Gordon Strachan, flanked by substitutes Johnny Russell and Darren Fletcher, in what may be his final game in charge of Scotland

Now he must decide if he wishes to continue in the post he took up since January 2013 for the World Cup qualifying campaign against England, Slovakia, Slovenia, Lithuania and Malta.

Thousands of Scotland fans journeyed to the Algarve for the match, despite Scotland's 2-2 draw with Poland on Thursday making the match, in effect, meaningless.

"They could have turned up because they had already booked and been negative but from the start [it was] their positivity," said an appreciative manager.

"The fans, if they see a group of players who try their best, they will support them. That has never been more clear than this evening.

"We've seen a special night in terms of the bond between fans and players. The players are buzzing because of the support they got."

Pressed to reveal his intentions, Strachan added that there would be a "debrief" and that he would speak to the Scottish Football Association and his family to discuss his future.

"The experience has been far, far better than I thought it could ever be," he said.

"It's quite an emotional night. I'm still enjoying the players' performance, I'm still enjoying the fans' performance. I'm going to enjoy that for a bit before I start thinking about me.

"I think it is wrong to be talking about me right after a game.

"I'm working with a great bunch of players and great staff and it makes my job easy."

Related articles

• Scottish Football Association chief wants Gordon Strachan to stay on
• Gordon strachan: setbacks happen and scotland will bounce back
• Robbie Keane fires Republic of Ireland past Gibraltar to boost Euro 2016 hopes
• Scotland's hopes dented by defeat from Georgia
• Euro 2016 Qualifying Results: Friday's Scores, Group Tables, Upcoming Fixtures
• Scottish football set for financial boost as SFA lands new seven-figure sponsorship deal with Tennent's

Strachan Promises England Attack

Getty Images

Scotland boss Gordon Strachan has promised to go on the attack when his side face England at Wembley next month.

The Dark Blues will travel to the home of the Auld Enemy on August 14 for their first visit to London in 14 years.

The match comes after Strachan masterminded a surprise 1-0 win over Croatia in last month's World Cup qualifier.

Norwich winger Robert Snodgrass scored in a tense Zagreb encounter that required the Scots to battle manfully to preserve their lead.

But Strachan says the team will look to give the 20,000 Tartan Army fans heading to the English capital a more entertaining display.

He said: "With the size of crowd we will have, there will be an emphasis on us to do a wee bit more with the ball. We're expecting to have more of the ball.

"With the system in Croatia, we had eight days training beforehand to sort it out. That was handy and definitely helped.

"So that's a system that we can fall back on and know that it works. If every player applies themselves 100 per cent, it works.

"Now we have to find a system for when we are at home that is more attacking and find out who the best players for that system are as well.

"We can't really call this an away game as such because the fans will want to see us attacking."

Strachan's 29-man squad includes Scott Brown - who missed the trip to Zagreb with a hip injury - but he has been forced to leave out the injured trio of Darren Fletcher, Steven Fletcher and Gary Caldwell.

However, the former Celtic boss says morale in the group is soaring after the win against Igor Stimac's side.

"There's no doubt about it, any time you win a game of football, that adds to the confidence of the squad and helps with the camaraderie," he said.

"People talk about nights out, go-karting, golf days [helping to boost squad spirit] - that doesn't make any difference. Camaraderie, team spirit and confidence comes when you win games of football."

Related articles

• Scotland boss Gordon Strachan wants to face England every year
• England v Scotland: Gordon Strachan recalls Scott Brown for Wembley friendly
• England v Scotland: Gordon Strachan calls for regular fixtures between rival nations
• Strachan eyes regular England games
• Strachan eyes regular England games
• Video: Back Page Monday, Gordon Strachan announces Scotland squad to face England

Levein Legal Action Stark News

Getty Images

Craig Levein has opened legal proceedings against the Scottish Football Association.

Levein was sacked on 5 November amid a poor run in their 2014 World Cup qualification campaign.

In a statement, the SFA said it had been served with a writ "despite the Scottish FA's offer to honour Craig's contract in full".

Levein, 48, was "relieved of his duties", with Under-21 coach Billy Stark being put in temporary charge.

However, last month it emerged that Levein was seeking legal advice.

He was sacked with Scotland at the foot of World Cup qualifying Group A, and the governing body said it would honour the former manager's contract, with payments over the next 20 months.

The statement read: "The Scottish FA has since received notification that Craig has chosen to resign, thereby foregoing the offer made to honour his contract in full.

"In the notification received, failure to make a proposal in lieu of compensation has been cited. It is the view of the Scottish FA that no such offer is required given Craig's decision to resign, especially since an offer of mediation was rejected by his legal representatives.

"We will make no further comment at this time."

Related articles

• SFA Relieve Levein of Duties
• National Sport: Scotland part company with Levein
• Live Sport Reports: Scotland part company with Levein
• Scotland boss Levein sacked
• Scotland sack manager Levein
• Levein is fired by Scotland

SFA Relieve Levein of Duties

Scotland manager Craig Levein has been "relieved of his duties", the Scottish Football Association has confirmed.

Levein, who took over in December 2009, has paid the price for Scotland's disastrous start to their World Cup qualifying campaign and his conservative tactics which have alienated the Tartan Army.

Scotland drew their opening Hampden qualifiers against Serbia and Macedonia, and a double defeat by Wales and Belgium means qualification for Brazil 2014 is all but over.

More dammingly, the former Scotland defender only won three of his 12 competitive matches in charge.

It is believed the SFA's decision to sack Levein, whose contract runs until summer 2014, will cost up to £700,000.

A statement read: "The Scottish FA tonight announces that Craig Levein has been relieved of his duties as Scotland national coach.

"The board of the Scottish FA has taken the decision primarily due to the disappointing results in the FIFA World Cup Brazil 2014 Qualifiers, which have culminated in Scotland being bottom of the group after four matches."

Scotland next face Luxembourg in an away friendly on Nov 14 and Scotland Under-21 coach Billy Stark will take temporary charge of the team.

Former Scotland midfielder Gordon Strachan is the leading contender to replace Levein and will be relatively easy to hire as he is currently out of work.

Other names in the frame include Alex McLeish, Walter Smith, Joe Jordan and SFA performance director Mark Wotte.

The seven-man Scottish Football Association board have come in for widespread criticism for deliberating this weekend over whether to sack Levein.

Levein revealed last Wednesday he had pleaded his case for more time with SFA chief executive Stewart Regan and president Campbell Ogilvie.

Regan and Ogilvie subsequently discussed his position with their colleagues on the SFA board but the members wanted the weekend to deliberate and digest more information on the implications of sacking Levein.

While appearing as a pundit on BBC Scotland's coverage of the Cup tie between his former clubs Dundee United and Hearts on Wednesday night, Levein said: "I had a chat with Stewart Regan and Campbell Ogilvie and I'll find out one way or the other early next week.

"The squad for the Luxembourg game will be named on Tuesday and there will be an announcement before then.

"I'm hugely proud to be Scotland manager and want to continue doing the job."

The SFA disagreed with Levein's pleas, however.

In a statement, Regan said: "We are taking this decision with real sadness.

"Craig has worked hard to bring success, and has been thoroughly professional in his approach to the job.

"He has achieved a great deal with the team and in other areas, such as the performance strategy. However, he would be the first to agree that football is a results-driven business.

"For that reason we have relieved Craig of his duties with immediate effect.

"Billy Stark will take interim charge of the team for the friendly against Luxembourg. There will be a short delay in announcing that squad, which Billy will select, and we have informed the Luxembourg FA of this development.

"After the Luxembourg match, the board will meet to begin the process of identifying and recruiting the next national coach to take us forward. We will give ourselves time, given our fixture schedule, to find the right person for the job.

"The challenge for the squad now is to improve our position in Group A and, subsequently, improve our position in the Fifa rankings.

"We also must begin preparations for the Uefa European Championship in France in 2016, which for the first time will have 24 qualification places available."

Related articles

• National Sport: Adam blames media for Levein 'exit'
• Craig Levein removed as Scotland manager
• SFA Taking Too Levein Long - Houston
• Levein sacked as Scotland coach
• Live Sport Reports: Adam blames media for Levein 'exit'
• Results cost Levein - Gallacher

SFA Taking Too Levein Long - Houston

Peter Houston believes the Scottish Football Association have taken too long to reach a verdict on national coach Craig Levein's future.

Levein's position is under scrutiny following a poor start to Scotland's World Cup qualifying campaign.

And Dundee United boss Houston, who assists Levein with the Scots, thinks a decision should already have been made.

"If the SFA decide that they want to remove Craig, it shouldn't take three weeks or so to remove him," he said.

"I think that they've let the thing settle, they've had discussions but they've had the discussions for a few days, it shouldn't take that long to make a decision.

"Fair enough, the SFA were wanting to let the whole situation calm down a bit before discussing that but now they have discussed it over two days; and I am going with what I am reading and hearing, it shouldn't be that hard to make that decision.

"I spoke to Craig on Wednesday and I haven't spoken to him since.

"That is not my business as such but I still regard Craig as one of the top managers in the game, I have worked with him so long, I know how good he is and I would like him to get that opportunity to stay on."

Houston, who succeeded Levein at Tannadice after serving as his assistant at the club, confirmed he will also step down if Levein is removed from his post.

He explained: "I am not contracted. I joined Craig as his assistant when he asked me.

"I don't get any money for it, I never wanted any money for it.

"There is money paid to the club which goes to youth development, which is great.

"So, if Craig is removed, I will make a phone call to the SFA."

On Saturday, Kilmarnock manager Kenny Shiels described the uncertainty over Levein's future as "ridiculous".

He told BBC Scotland that retaining Levein should be a "no-brainer" and went on to say: "Why would they change the manager? Who are they going to bring in?"

After defeat by Belgium in October, Scotland are bottom of World Cup qualifying Group A with two points from four matches.

But Shiels insists Levein should be allowed to get on with managing the national side.

"I feel as though I'm part of his management staff because I have to provide good principles and good learning from players," added Shiels.

"As an SPL manager, I think it's ridiculous what they're doing with the national manager. It's down to us to provide the players and all he has to do is deliver it.

"And you can't say he hasn't picked good teams in the last couple of games. And he's got Steven Fletcher back so give the guy time and he'll come through and do well. All successful managers are ones that have been given time.

"I have to say that I'm disgusted by the way some people have tried to kill him and the media haven't been very friendly either."

Related articles

• Shiels rounds on Levein critics
• Houston hits out at SFA over Levein decision
• Adam urges SFA to back Levein
• Levein will learn fate next week
• SFA to meet over Levein's future
• Craig Levein set to remain as Scotland boss after SFA talks

SFA Set for Levein Discussions

Getty Images

Craig Levein's future as Scotland coach will be discussed by the Scottish Football Association's board within a matter of days.

But it is believed that any meeting with Levein himself will not take place for a couple of weeks.

Chief executive Stewart Regan refused to be drawn on whether he thought Levein would remain in charge for next month's friendly against Luxembourg.

Regan admitted disappointment at Scotland being bottom of their group.

"I think that's a decision for the board," he said of Levein's future.

"Now is not the time to be making announcements and decisions. That's something that'll happen over the course of the next few days.

"It's important that we just reflect on the start to the campaign, sit down with the manager and with the board and actually look at what's happened over the last few matches and, in particular, what's happened in the last two games and then decide on our course of action.

"It's important that we actually sit down, look at the facts and then decide on the next steps."

Those facts do not read in Levein's favour following the 2-0 defeat by Belgium in their World Cup Group A qualifier in Brussels.

The former Dundee United, Hearts and Leicester City manager has led Scotland to victory in only three of his 12 competitive fixtures in charge.

Scotland lie bottom of Group A with two points, eight points adrift of group favourites Belgium and top seeds Croatia, despite having played what they hoped would be a beneficial set of opening fixtures at the start of the campaign.

"We're all bitterly disappointed to find ourselves bottom of the group after four games," said Regan.

"Looking back to the dates meeting, where we set out our fixtures, we were all hoping to get off to a much better start.

"I think we expected a difficult match against Belgium, recognising the quality of their team and how many of them are playing at the very highest levels of the Premiership.

"Probably the more difficult one to swallow was the match against Wales on Friday night, where we were 1-0 up with nine minutes to go then lost the match 2-1."

Levein admitted Scotland's qualification hopes for the 2014 finals in Brazil are all but over but has insisted he wants to remain in charge.

Scotland players, including captain Darren Fletcher, vice-captain Gary Caldwell and goalkeeper Allan McGregor, have all praised Levein and suggested a change in manager would not be beneficial.

However, Regan hinted that present results are likely to overshadow the long-term strategy Levein has spearheaded to improve Scotland's pool of talent.

"We appointed Mark Wotte to come in and build the foundations for a stronger Scotland going forward," said the chief executive.

"The progress we've made with the Under-17s and Under-19s recently, including qualification for the elite round of the Under-19 Championships, shows there are some green shoots, particularly for younger age groups.

"The national team is a different proposition. Craig's got a set of players he's been working with, he has those players for the European Championships and we came into the World Cup 2014 campaign with a lot of optimism and we all hoped that we would have started better than we have done.

"That hasn't proved to be the case and we now have to sit down and reflect on that and decide on the next steps."

Levein will, however, be given the opportunity to defend his record.

"I think it's important to look at the situation and allow those involved to actually put their thoughts across the table," added Regan.

"We're a board of directors. It's important that each of the directors gets a chance to have an input.

"Not all of the directors have been on this trip and we want to actually sit down as a group and have a discussion with the manager.

"When we've had a chance to do that then we'll decide what happens next."

Related articles

• Levein's future known within days
• Levein Looks to McArthur in Belgium
• Message to Craig Levein: Go Now!
• Live Sport Reports: Levein determined to stay
• Levein rules out resigning
• SFA board to discuss Craig Levein's future as Scotland boss in next few days

Scotland Unable to Keep Kompany

Scotland's fading hopes of making the World Cup finals in 2014 were surely dashed as they were beaten 2-0 by a quality Belgium side.

Craig Levein's troops defended for their lives, with Allan McGregor in superb form, until two goal in as many minutes from Christian Benteke and Vincent Kompany settled the Group A tie.

McGregor had earned his match fee inside the first 15 minutes as waves of red shirts poured forward with Dreis Mertens and Axel Witsel in particular causing havoc.

As the pressure mounted, Dries Mertens cut the ball back but Benteke failed to make contact with the goal at his mercy.

When the Scots finally broke the shackles, Thibaut Courtois had to be at full stretch to claw away Shaun Maloney's free-kick.

But it was a rare threat for the hosts, as Nacer Chadli and Moussa Dembele both went close, the Scots mounting an increasingly desperate rearguard action.

Kris Commons did work the goalkeeper with another decent free-kick before Benteke hit the top of the crossbar with a towering header.

Darren Mackie almost got on the end of Danny Fox's swinging cross but the introduction of substitute Eden Hazard ensured there was to be no let-up for the overworked Scottish defence.

The inevitable duly arrived on 69 when Kevin De Bruyne chipped the ball to the far post and Benteke powered in the header.

The Scots had barely regrouped when Kompany (71) worked space to hammer the ball into the roof from 15 yards and there was no way back for the leg-weary visitors.

Levein made one change from the side who lost to Wales, with Wigan midfielder James McArthur drafted into the starting line-up in place of Scott Brown.

Belgium looked dangerous right from the first whistle and a Gary Caldwell error allowed Dries Mertens to burst into the box.

But goalkeeper McGregor came to the rescue and blocked superbly at both attempts by Mertens to deny the home side the opener early on.

Fortunately for the Scots, McGregor was on top form and he also saved well from Chadli at the near post before diving bravely to the feet of the same player to snuff out another threat.

After a period of intense pressure from the Belgians, a mis-hit shot from James Morrison caused more problems than it should have for Courtois.

The goalkeeper looked more convincing when he prevented a curling free-kick from Maloney from finding the top corner.

At the other end, Chadli was given enough space to unleash a thunderous strike from 25 yards that whistled inches past the post, before Dembele and Mertens both saw efforts fall wide of target.

With half-time approaching, Scotland threatened from another free-kick, with Commons forcing a decent save from the keeper on this occasion.

Both sides made a change at the interval, with Jamie Mackie replacing Commons and Dembele making way for Hazard.

The Belgians hit the woodwork within five minutes of the restart when Benteke threw himself in front of Toby Alderweireld's cross only to see his header clip the crossbar on the way over.

Kevin Mirallas was thrown into the action for Mertens, before McGregor was shown the first yellow card of the game for time wasting on the hour mark.

The breakthrough came for the Belgians after 69 minutes when Benteke bulleted home a header at the back post, eventually beating the impressive McGregor.

Belgium doubled their lead a minute later when Kompany collected from Hazard on the edge of the area and rifled an unstoppable shot into the back of the net.

It was a crushing blow for the Scots, who replaced Steven Fletcher with Kenny Miller, with just over 15 minutes to go.

Blackpool's Matt Phillips was then handed his competitive debut, confirming his allegiance to a Scotland side whose slim hopes of reaching the World Cup finals

Related articles

• LIVE: Belgium v Scotland, World Cup Qualifier
• Belgium v Scotland - live!
• Belgium vs. Scotland: Final score 2-0 as Red Devils outclass Scots
• Belgium v Scotland - Live!
• Levein Looks to McArthur in Belgium
• Scotland Suffer Macedonia at Hampden