The consensus for Gordon Strachan to be named the next Scotland manager is building after Alex McLeish effectively ruled himself out of the running.

Strachan is the firm favourite to succeed Craig Levein, who was sacked on Monday evening. McLeish has also been mooted as a candidate but the 53-year-old, who managed Scotland in 2007, played down the notion of a return to the post.

“I left the national team to take up club football, I felt I was missing the day-to-day stuff,” he said.

McLeish resigned the post and became Birmingham City manager, despite some notable victories, including against France in Paris.

“I’m still of that mind. I wouldn’t like to be unfair to the Scotland fans in terms of coming back to the job . . . I don’t want to say I don’t want the Scotland job but I feel I’ve still got some time left in club football.”

On Strachan, his former team-mate at Aberdeen, McLeish added: “Gordon Strachan is a pretty good candidate to me. He’s had success at club level with Celtic.”

Wigan Athletic and Scotland centre-back Gary Caldwell who also played under Strachan at Celtic backed the latter. “I think so, he’s a passionate manager and a very passionate Scot,” said Caldwell of the likelihood of Strachan succeeding in international management.

“I had three good years with him at Celtic and he achieved great things there. He’s been out of management for a while and I’m sure he will be hungry. I think the national team job needs a passionate guy. It is not an easy job. I’m sure he is a guy who will come with a real passion and do well for Scotland.”

Strachan has yet to break his silence but it is understood he would be keen on it.

The Scottish FA will wait until after next week’s friendly in Luxembourg before starting the process of replacing Levein.

Guardian Service