Scotland 100-1 to qualify; Levein 1-7 to exit job

Published on 13/10/2012 02:08

BOOKMAKERS believe Scotland’s World Cup campaign is effectively over and Craig Levein is unlikely to have a job for much longer after their 2-1 defeat to Wales last night.

McBookie make Scotland 100-1 no-hopers to qualify for Brazil 2014 and Levein 1-7 not to complete this World Cup campaign as Scotland manager.

Levein’s men began the day as 20-1 to make the finals, but with group favourites Belgium and Croatia both winning, Scotland are now five points adrift with a nightmare trip to Belgium on Tuesday night. McBookie.com spokesman Paul Petrie said: “The game is up for Scotland and Craig Levein. They have dropped points at home to Macedonia and Serbia and have now lost away to Wales. Craig Levein is 1-7 not to finish this World Cup campaign as manager and 6-4 to still be in a job by midnight on Tuesday.

“It really isn’t a question of if he goes but when and we make Alex McLeish 3-1 favourite for the job.” Last night’s 2-1 defeat by Wales also means that Levein has the worst competitive record of any Scotland manager.

The 47-year-old has won only three of 11 qualifying games – against Liechtenstein (twice) and at home to Lithuania – all by a single goal.

The loss in Cardiff leaves Scotland with just two points from their opening three matches in Group A – five points adrift of pace-setters Belgium and Croatia.

Levein has now equalled the worst-ever start to a qualifying campaign for a World Cup or European Championship. Scotland have never reached the finals of either competition after failing to win their opening three group matches.