Walter Smith will be tempted by Scotland, says McNamara

Jackie McNamara believes Walter Smith is a good choice to take over as Scotland boss for a second time - and thinks he'll be tempted if an offer comes his way.

The Scottish FA are expected to make an approach for the former Rangers and Everton boss after he emerged as a leading candidate for the vacant role this week.

The 69-year-old hasn't been involved in football management for seven years, after retiring as manager of Rangers in 2011, but McNamara thinks taking the Scotland job for the second time could tempt Smith back into the game.

"It wouldn't surprise me,'' the former Celtic player said at a William Hill media event.

"If it's in your blood and you love the game and you're very passionate, it's very difficult just to drop football from your life.

"If you have been so much involved in it from playing to management and other things, it's part of your everyday life and to just suddenly stop, it's difficult.

"I was fortunate enough to work under Walter as a player with Scotland and I thoroughly enjoyed working with him. I thought he was fantastic.

"I think he's a good choice. We have a lot of good candidates there who could come in and do a good job just now and Walter is certainly one of them.''

Smith left his role as Scotland boss to return to Rangers in the middle of the Euro 2008 qualifying campaign, which may see his appointment as controversial.

But McNamara said: "The importance of qualification is everything. Regardless of the background, it's just about getting us through the next qualifiers. I'm sure the whole nation would be happy.''

The search for a new manager is in its fourth month and has been complicated by the sudden departure of Stewart Regan as Scottish Football Association chief executive, but McNamara feels the management job is the priority.

The former Partick Thistle, Dundee United and York manager said: "It's a difficult time and there's a lot of things to be resolved: the manager, friendlies in the summer, sponsors for the national team. We need stability.

"There's games next month that we need to prepare for, whether it's short term until it's all resolved. The most important thing is the national team.''

McNamara moved from the training ground into the office when he became York chief executive in October 2016 but the 44-year-old does not see many candidates from a playing background emerging for the SFA role.

"Having seen the other side of it, you see the ins and outs and a lot of people don't understand how difficult it is to change things,'' he added.

"But, whoever it is, hopefully they can change things for the better because a lot of things need to be resolved and fixed.'

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