Strachan: ‘Glasgow’s people will make Games great’

Gordon Strachan with the baton at Hampden. Picture: Getty Images

The Scotland football manager spent several weeks in Brazil as a TV pundit during the World Cup and believes his own country is about to experience something similar.

Strachan, 57, took part in the Queen’s Baton Relay yesterday, carrying the baton around a revamped Hampden.

Speaking about his experiences in Brazil, the former Manchester United player and Celtic manager said: “It wasn’t so much the football, it was the excitement it generated.

“Everyone who went out there thought the Brazilian people made the event. They joined in, they were welcoming, they were humorous, they were good fun. I’m sure you are going to get the same here.

“And when tourists get here, they should get themselves about Scotland, not just Glasgow and Edinburgh; there is wonderful scenery elsewhere in the country. It’s great that people can come here and see Scotland at its best.”

Strachan said he hoped the sporting action provides a lasting legacy, saying: “I think it’s a chance for Scotland to grab a hold of sport and use it as a tool to help us.

“I think everybody can play a sport, it’s finding what sport you are good at. No matter what shape, size, height, there’s a sport there for you. What we need to do as a country is give children the opportunity to find that sport.

“When asking politicians to do anything, I always say, ‘Do something about the sport because it can help your country no end’.”

Strachan said he was honoured to be asked to carry the baton at Hampden. The home of Scottish football has been transformed into an athletics stadium for the duration of the Games.