Thomson backs Smith for Scotland return

By Lisa Gray

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

KEVIN THOMSON believes the Scottish FA are unlikely to find a better candidate for the Scotland job than Walter Smith.

The Rangers midfielder would rather see the Scottish champions retain the services of their manager, whose current contract is set to expire in January.

But he is well aware the veteran boss would also provide a great boost to the country if he were to return to the national team helm, having already succeeded in the role.

Smith and Dundee United manager Craig Levein have emerged as the early favourites for the vacancy, with both yet to comment on their interest in replacing George Burley.

Graeme Souness and Mark McGhee – who were both interviewed last time – have ruled themselves out of the running and Owen Coyle has reiterated his commitment to Burnley.

Jimmy Calderwood and John Collins both want the job, while Jim Jefferies says he is flattered to be linked with the vacancy but is waiting for an approach from the SFA before commenting further.

However, as far as Thomson is concerned, Smith is the ideal candidate.

"I think he is as good as anyone to take the job," he said.

"But I’m not the SFA board, I don’t decide who gets the job. It’s not my decision to push him in that direction to help the country out. But, if they were to pick one of the best managers around, Walter would certainly be in that category.

"He would be a huge loss to Rangers. He is a top manager and I’m sure I speak on behalf of all the punters and players when I say we wouldn’t want to lose him. But he is at that stage in his career now where, if he fancies it, he might go for it. He might not.

"We’ve got him at the moment and we are quite happy. As far as we are concerned, he is the Rangers boss and we all thrive on working under him."

Thomson earned his only cap so far in the goalless friendly against Northern Ireland under Burley in August last year. Injury and illness have forced him to withdraw from subsequent squads since then, meaning his experience of the Burley regime was limited.

While several former managers and players have had their say on the sacking of Burley, his nephew, Craig, was perhaps the most critical of the current crop of players, claiming they were "too thick" to understand his coaching methods.

It is believed compensation between the SFA and Burley has all but been agreed at in excess of £300,000.

This appeared in the printed version of the Irish Examiner Wednesday, November 18, 2009