Gordon Strachan looks to Mark McGhee to fill Scotland assistant role

FORMER Motherwell and Aberdeen manager Mark McGhee has emerged as the favourite to become Gordon Strachan’s assistant.

McGhee was sacked by League Two strugglers Bristol Rovers at the end of last year but could join up with long-time friend and former colleague Strachan as he seeks to spark a Scotland revival.

Former Scotland captain Gary McAllister is also in the frame as the former Celtic manager forms a strong backroom team ahead of February’s friendly clash with Estonia.

McGhee was linked with the Scotland post after Alex McLeish left in 2007, and was also linked with the Celtic job after Strachan quit Parkhead. However, despite leading Motherwell into Europe, he was sacked by Aberdeen after little more than a season at the helm, before moving on to Bristol where he failed to engineer an improvement.

It is thought that Strachan will focus on blooding young Scottish talent, which would pave the way for either Paul Hartley or Everton youth team coach David Weir to join the setup.

However, Strachan’s assistant during his time at Celtic, Garry Pendrey, looks likely to miss out.