Ibrox legend laughs off suggestions he could be the man to take Scotland forwardGraeme Souness is adamant Scotland’s next managerial appointment must be capable of inspiring the nation’s most illustrious players such as Scott McTominay after Steve Clarke resigned as head coach. The Scots suffered another World Cup group-stage exit earlier this summer, with costly individual errors and an inability to convert chances proving their latest major tournament downfall.The performances of talismanic figures like McTominay and John McGinn across the three group matches came under scrutiny, with Souness suggesting Clarke’s side lacked an authoritative presence on the pitch.Steve Clarke acknowledges the Scotland fans after a costly defeat to Brazil (Martin Rickett/PA)The former Rangers manager – capped 54 times by Scotland – believes the next man stepping into the Hampden hotseat must have the gravitas to earn the trust of key leaders like McTominay and McGinn and command their respect during high-pressure situations.“We just weren’t good enough,” Souness reflected. “I never saw any Scottish player walk onto the pitch and go, ‘You know what? This is my stage. I’m going to be the best player here today’. I never saw that kind of real belief. So I was disappointed but I think the manager, over the vast majority of his tenure, got as much as he could out of that group of players.“When you are a national team manager you are totally reliant on what the nation produces at that time. And I don’t think we’ve produced the most talented group in recent history. He got a tune out of them and got them qualifying for competitions but ultimately he came up short which is always the way when you come up against the big guys.“Where do we go now? I have no idea! But hopefully we produce better players and we get someone who knows what they are doing. “Whoever it is needs to be capable of inspiring players like McTominay. He hit the post in the first game [against Haiti] and was arguably our biggest threat throughout the qualification and when we got there. But if you’re relying on attacking midfielders to be your biggest goal threat… Read More“You can be an average team but have an outstanding goal scorer and you’ve got a chance of winning games at the highest level. If you’ve got a good team but nothing up front to get you goals, you won’t win games at that level.“I just think it’s a very difficult job given what we’ve got right now, because you’re totally reliant on what the nation is producing at this time. I’m sure there will be a lot of Scottish coaches who would want the job. It’s not always the case of going foreign to get something better. But I’m not bothered. I’m not interested in what language he speaks as long as he does the business. ‘I wouldn’t last five minutes in a dressing room’While never truly a candidate for the job, Souness laughed off suggestions he could be the right man to take Scotland forward. After spending 20 years out of football management, the Ibrox legend insists his ‘old school’, direct approach wouldn’t fit the modern day dressing room environment. “No I wouldn’t last,” he exclaimed when asked if the Scotland job would interest him. “I accept that I’m from a different generation and I think it’s never been more difficult for the guys today doing it. I wouldn’t last five minutes in a dressing room. Martin [O’Neill] is from a different generation too but he’s a different character to me!Graeme Souness has confessed he has no interest in becoming Scotland manager…
