Scotland must move quickly on new boss, says McCann

Former Scotland winger Neil McCann feels the Scottish Football Association must appoint a national team boss as soon as possible now that Walter Smith has ruled himself out of contention.

The 69-year-old had been sounded out about returning to the role he left nine years ago, but he opted out on the same day interim chief executive Andrew McKinlay handed in his notice to take up a role with Scottish Golf.

There is a major power vacuum at the top of the SFA following Stewart Regan's sudden departure in the wake of his failure to land Northern Ireland boss Michael O'Neill.

But McCann feels a new manager must come quickly with friendlies against Costa Rica and Hungary planned for next month.

When told of Smith's decision, the Dundee manager said: "I don't know if it's a surprise. Maybe he just feels he doesn't want it any more. But it's disappointing because I worked with him for a short time at international level and heard enough top-class pros talk about how good he was.

"I saw the work he did at Scotland so it's disappointing another good candidate has decided to take himself out of contention.

"But that's something we need to do - we need to find a manager. It's difficult when you don't have a chief executive but the sooner it happens the better.

"I think the manager needs to come first. A lot of people would argue it's the other way about because a chief exec must pick the manager, but the manager is in control of the situation.

"The chief executive runs the SFA but I would like a manager in and then maybe he has a say with that relationship, because it has to work hand in hand.

"But the manager picks the team and does the tactics and everything else so that's the most important aspect for me.''

McCann's former Scotland and Falkirk team-mate, Jackie McNamara, has been linked with the chief executive role - which he currently performs for York, although Partick Thistle managing director and SFA board member Ian Maxwell appears to be the front-runner.

"I speak to Jackie often and he's really enjoying that side of the game,'' McCann said. It's something totally different for him. I was surprised when he took that.

"What I will say about Jackie is that he's a really intelligent man and clearly was a fantastic footballer.

"He's a thinker of the game, and you would have to be in that role.

"I think in that role you need to have a real connection and people skills to work closely with the Scotland manager. I feel Jackie could do that job. Whether he'd want to is another thing.''

Meanwhile, Hampden has been named as the venue for the Costa Rica game on March 23. The SFA has priced the cheapest adult tickets at #10 for Scotland Supporters Club members and #15 for non-members

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