Walter Smith warns Craig Levein of 'frustrations' he may encounter as Scotland coach

Published on Friday 18 December 2009 23:25

THE frustrations involved with coaching Scotland's national team were outlined to Craig Levein yesterday by former incumbent Walter Smith. Whilst not attempting to sway Levein either way regarding the position, the Rangers manager said having only a handful of matches a year was, at times, difficult to handle.

Smith managed Scotland for just over two years before returning to Ibrox in January 2007. He explained the difficulties of relinquishing day-to-day involvement in the game as Levein prepares to meet the Scottish Football Association to discuss the possibility of succeeding George Burley.

Levein, 45, said on Thursday he "100%" wants to take charge of his country but has to be convinced now is the right time for him to do so.

"It's a bit of a frustration, I don't think there's any doubt about that," said Smith, who last week described Levein as a "natural" candidate for the Scotland job.

"You turn up on the Monday morning and you've got no staff, you've got no players, after having a fortnight of involvement. But it's only a little bit of frustration, it's not a major thing.

"If things are going okay, you don't think about it too much. It's when things aren't going too well and you wish you had a situation where you could get back in and get started on a more day-to-day basis."

Smith, who has repeatedly ruled out a return to the role he quit almost three years ago, added: "It's different from what you've been used to, that's the thing. You're involved seven days a week. Then you find yourself in a circumstance where that's not the case. The intensity you work under for a fortnight more than makes up for a lot of the other things that are a downside."

Scotland full-back Kirk Broadfoot, who was out injured for the latter stages of Burley's ill-fated reign, claims Levein harbours all the right credentials to land the national team job.

"I think he's a fantastic manager," the Rangers defender said. "The job he's done at Dundee United speaks volumes of the man. Everyone knows how good a team Dundee United are and, quite clearly, he seems to be getting the best out of the players up there. I don't know him personally, but he looks to be a good candidate."

St Johnstone manager and former Scotland midfielder Derek McInnes said: "I still see the Scotland post as a fantastic job, and a fantastic accolade for whoever is asked to do be manager of Scotland, and Craig is as good as anybody. I would want the Scotland manager to be passionate and Craig is that. He also has great experience, a hunger and drive about him to be a successful manager and there are not too many things you can say against him."

Burnley manager Owen Coyle believes Levein "has the attributes to take Scotland on" and predicted that he could be the man to lead the country to a major championship for the first time since 1998.

Coyle said: "I think there is a very good nucleus of young players that could get Scotland back to doing what they do best. That is punching above their weight and qualifying for major championships and World Cups. Scotland need the right man to lead that group of players, then that goal could be achieved."