Winning is the be-all and the end-all of Scots job, says Walter Smith

Published on Wednesday 23 December 2009 22:04

WALTER Smith has a stock two-word answer he employs whenever anyone asks him how to succeed as an Old Firm manager: "Just win".

It may be a simplistic, not to mention tongue-in-cheek response, but it recognises a bottom line which Smith has spent the bulk of his managerial career dealing with.

It is one he believes applies just as much to being Scotland manager as it does to those operating under the relentless demands for victory at Rangers and Celtic.

Which is why Smith feels Craig Levein would be well advised to place his long term ideals for the Scottish international team firmly on the back burner as he moves into his new office on Hampden's sixth floor.

The Rangers manager fully approves of Levein's appointment and is convinced he has the capacity to restore Scotland's credibility following the unhappy tenure of George Burley. But Smith, who undertook a remarkable repair job himself as Scotland manager from 2004 to 2007 in the wake of the disastrous Berti Vogts era, says Levein must be prepared for a level of instant pressure he has not previously encountered.

"You can go into a club side like Dundee United and it can take you a period of time to adjust and settle in," said Smith. "But at international level you've got to start well, there is no build up period. It's no use telling people you're planning for another tournament or another six games down the line. It's the one pressure which comes with the job. You have to get an immediate upturn in results.

"It's not the manager as such who has to have a long term view, that's for other people at the SFA. It's the kind of job where if you don't get results right away, you can encounter problems.

"But international football in the main isn't about a long-term outlook. You pick the best players available, get them together and put them out in a way you think can win you a game. Patience is not something you are going to get. There isn't such a thing. That's one of the pressures that you take on board when you go to the national team. You always get the backing at the start. The initial part is always okay. But you have to get results quickly in that job."

While Smith himself was linked with a return to the Scotland job following Burley's sacking last month he always believed Levein was the most appropriate choice for the SFA. There is a sense that Smith sees something of himself in Levein and he certainly expects him to restore Scotland to the level of obduracy and efficiency which saw them climb 64 places in the Fifa world rankings during his two years at the helm.

"I haven't spoke to Craig but he's the best man for the job and I'm pleased to see his appointment," added Smith. "I think it's important we have a Scottish manager managing the national team.

"Craig has a good view of the players working under him. He doesn't ask them to do things they're incapable of doing. He's got a solid outlook to what he has to do to achieve success. He has a pragmatic view of what is required.

"There is nothing fancy about the way he goes about his job and he always gets the best out of his players. I think that's an important thing at international level.

"If you don't have a major influence on your team in the length of time you have to work with them, you then have to have a clear picture of how your team is going to shape up.

"I think Scotland have still got a good squad of players and a squad of players who still have a basis to achieve a decent level of success. I don't think anybody is going to say we are going to win tournaments or anything like that.

"But I think Craig can get the team back up into a position where we would be challenging for qualification for finals to tournaments. That would ultimately be a success for Scotland.

"It's not that much different from club management in the sense the mentality is the same and the bottom line is the same. You have to win football matches. You might not have a group of players to work with on a regular basis but you've got to show you can adapt to that. That's probably the biggest challenge.

"From what I read Craig might have a wider reach in the job which will maybe keep him a wee bit busier. That for me was the only frustration to the job. You have a fortnight of intense preparation and pressure. Then, all of a sudden, it all finishes. That's a strange thing to handle. You have no staff and nothing to carry that on.

"Initially it's okay because you are going round watching various teams and players. But after a wee while you can only watch so many players. Yet it's a great job and one Craig will relish. It's never easy to instigate a change but Craig will be looking forward to the challenge."

Smith still fondly recalls Scotland's 1-0 defeat of France at Hampden during the memorable Euro 2008 qualifying campaign as one of the highlights of his managerial career, one which allowed him to share a sense of joy with a wider audience than club football could ever provide.

"What is different about the Scotland job is that, initially at least, you have the backing of the entire country," he added. "Everyone is behind you and if you do manage to achieve a good result that momentum builds.

"If you get a result against one of the bigger nations, the backing is tremendous. It's a really enjoyable job when you're at that level and (that is] something hopefully Craig will experience."

SALMOND A FAN

FIRST Minister Alex Salmond has welcomed Craig Levein's appointment.

He said: "I wish Craig Levein every success as Scotland manager. He will have the full support of the Tartan Army and everyone in Scotland.

"He has been a successful club manager, and will put his considerable skills and knowledge to good use for the national team. His focus on grassroots and youth development is particularly important and will be widely welcomed.

"I'm sure that Craig can lead Scotland to the European Championship in 2012."