EURO 2012: Tough task awaits new Scotland boss Craig Levein
It has been 12 years of hurt for Scottish football.
The national side have stuttered their way through the last six major tournament qualifying periods without success, resulting in a plummet through the world rankings and negative vibes surrounding the ability of current Scotland players. Their 1998 World Cup adventure seems like a lot more than a decade ago, and the likes of John Collins, Colin Hendry and Ally McCoist, who provided the core of that relatively successful era are just a distant memory.
It hasn’t helped either that the national team job is now no longer seen as the pinnacle of all management, meaning the thoughts of attracting top-class domestic Scottish managers such as David Moyes, Kenny Dalglish and even Sir Alex Ferguson are simply impossible. This has led the Scottish FA to struggle to appoint a man fit to live up to the standards set by former managers Jock Stein - who steered teams to two World Cups - and Craig Brown - the chief responsible for the successful mid 90s period.
Many have tried and ultimately failed. Berti Vogtz struggled with the media, Walter Smith looked to be building something before being attracted by the bright lights of Ibrox, the same could be said for Alex McLeish who moved to then Championship club Birmingham and George Burley endured a nightmare tenure, falling out with players and angering the fans with controversial team selections.
There is another new man at the helm for the Euro 2012 campaign following Burley’s departure, the man charged with what looks like an impossible task is former Leicester City, Raith Rovers and Dundee United manager Craig Levein.
As his list of former clubs suggest the former Scottish international isn’t exactly blessed with first-class managerial experience, but he probably was the best available option to the SFA, which speaks volumes for the current appeal the job brings. His spell as Leicester manager, his only foray into the English leagues, was especially poor, and it has been suggested that this job is seen as a chance to redeem his reputation and as a stepping-stone for a return to management south of the border.
That’s probably not what Scotland fans what to hear after both McLeish and Smith both jumped at the chance to leave their post once a major domestic job came available.
His first competitive game is this weekend as Scotland open their campaign with an away trip to Lithuania, which already could be defined as a must-win game if they are serious about qualifying for the tournament in Poland and Ukraine.
It could be argued over the past few qualification campaigns that Scotland have been given quite a tough ride with the groups that they have drawn. They have bumped into Italy and France on two occasions, and the habit of drawing the current world champions has continued as Spain have been placed in Group I alongside the Scots, Lithuania, Czech Republic and Liechtenstein.
Vincent del Bosque’s side travel to Hampden Park on October 12th, for a glorious occasion which will no doubt sell out Hampden Park, but Levein’s side should be concentrating on their battles with Czech Republic, as it looks as though whoever gains the most points from those clashes will grab the runners- up place and a chance to qualify through the play-offs. They are set to face the Czech’s on October 8th in Prague and the September 3rd 2011 at Hampden Park.
Scotland’s players are doubtless ready and willing. Now they must prove that they are able.
Euro 2012 preview:
http://www.senore.com/Euro-2012-Englands-footballers-start-the-long-road-back-to-regaining-the-nations-trust-a24972
http://www.senore.com/Euro-2012-John-Toshack-running-out-of-time-to-help-Wales-youngsters-prove-their-worth-a24977
http://www.senore.com/Euro-2012-Northern-Ireland-bid-to-end-European-Championship-hoodoo-a24973
http://www.senore.com/Euro-2012-Republic-of-Ireland-looking-to-overcome-Paris-heartache-a24975
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