Vogts deserved Scottish stay of execution, says Alexander
The Preston utility man claims the former coach earned the right to have a crack at qualifying for Germany despite a European Championship play-off hammering by Holland.
But having started the new campaign poorly, Alexander admits it became clear that Vogts' time was up.
His successor Walter Smith has been praised for turning the national side's results around and resurrecting their World Cup dream going into their final two Group 5 games.
Many believe had he arrived earlier then they would be in a stronger position to qualify but Alexander believes the SFA chiefs were right to give Vogts more time.
He said: "It was a disappointing start but when you look back the SFA were right to give Berti another chance. He got us to the play-off for the European Championships and that was the target for Scotland.
"He had got us there and we failed in the play-off so they gave him another chance, which was fair enough. It was clear it wasn't going to happen for him after that but it's hindsight to say what might have been."
But the former Luton and Scunthorpe defender admits the players know what they are doing on the pitch because Smith's instructions are easy to understand.
"The manager coming in has turned it around with a couple of results and we know what is expected of us," added Alexander.
"You basically have to look at the manager. We are well organised now and each player goes out knowing what job they have got to do.
"He doesn't go overboard with instructions. He knows we are international players and we should be able to handle international football. We just get on with the job."
Alexander also believes the Tartan Army have helped make playing at the national stadium a joy again.
"It's massive now to come and play at Hampden Park," he continued.
"We played some friendlies under Berti and it was half full and the atmosphere was quite bad. It wasn't the most enjoyable place to play but since I have come back into the squad the team has done well and the atmosphere was amazing against Italy.
"It definitely gives you a lift when you hear the crowd before and during the game. There was a little bit of negativity around the whole scene in the past not from inside but outside.
"But with the results it's different and there's an expectancy around the squad and the country so it's good to be involved and be part of this team."
But he admits this might be his last crack at playing in a major finals as his 35th birthday falls on Monday.
He conceded: "Realistically when you look at my age, time is running out. You can never say never and I am still going to try my hardest to play in every game I can.
"Maybe we have a 50/50 chance to get to the play-off because we need other results to go for us. But there is still a glimmer of hope and every player is clinging on to that.
"The chance to play at the World Cup would be the amazing pinnacle of anyone's career.
"Getting through to that stage would mean a lot to me."
But Alexander believes confidence is better than ever as they attempt to win their final two matches against Belarus and Slovenia to have any chance of a play-off place.
He said: "We have played really well in the last four or five games so confidence is as high as it has ever been. But the players have got their feet on the ground.
"We have raised that expectancy around the country and everybody is coming expecting Scotland to win. But we have got to be more cautious because Belarus are a good team and it's a dangerous game for us.
"But we will take confidence from the last two results and we know if we want to go to the World Cup finals then we need six points."
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