Gordon Strachan can guide Scotland to World Cup play-offs, says SFA's Alan McRae
Monday 28 November 2016 20:54, UK
Gordon Strachan can still guide Scotland to a play-off spot in their 2018 World Cup qualifying group, according to Scottish Football Association president Alan McRae.
The Scots are fifth in Group F after taking one point from fixtures against Lithuania and Slovakia in October before a 3-0 defeat to England earlier this month which led to speculation over the former Celtic manager's future.
However, an SFA review backed Strachan, who will now prepare for the visit of Slovenia next March, and McRae, who oversaw the Scottish Cup fourth round draw on Monday, said the organisation was now looking ahead to future qualifiers.
"Gordon is a good experienced coach, a former international player, he has all the credentials, he has won trophies," he said. "He has a good group of players, they work as a group.
"We are obviously a bit disappointed to say the least in terms of four points from 12 which, if it had been six or seven we would have all have had at least a half smile on our face.
"But it is mathematically possible and I still think Gordon can take us to the play-offs. I am going to be positive. We are moving on. March will be the next home game, a great opportunity to get a win.
"It was always going to be difficult and we have made it more difficult for ourselves but I still think it is possible because we have four games at home."
McRae also confirmed that the quest to find a new performance director to replace Brian McClair, who left in July, is ongoing.
However, he would not comment specifically on former Cardiff City boss Malky Mackay, reportedly one of the candidates, who was at Hampden on Sunday for Celtic's 3-0 Betfred Cup win over Aberdeen.
"The update is quite simple, the process is well on, a series of interviews have been taken and it is ongoing," he said. "I am not going to comment on any individual who might or might not be part of that process.
"It is very important. As you know the performance strategy started about five years ago and there is a good lot of work going on just now and we are looking forward to changing things, tweaking things, to say the least and get the new performance director in and try to move on from there."
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