Strachan rallies behind Smith

Gordon Strachan has urged Scots to unite behind new Scotland manager Walter Smith after missing out on the job himself.

The former Aberdeen, Manchester United and Leeds midfielder was hailed as the fans’ choice but it was Smith who was appointed yesterday as Berti Vogts’ successor.

And Strachan has asked the Tartan Army to give the new man their full backing. He told the Daily Record: “I can’t feel disappointed because I feel I gave it my best shot. I was honoured they asked me.

“I gave them my ideas for the immediate future and I gave them my plans for the long-term future.

“They listened and they gave me the opportunity to put my points forward so I’m comfortable with the way I approached it.

“But it’s their prerogative to choose who they consider to be the best man for the job and in the end the best man won it. The rest of us just have to accept that.

“They have picked the best man for the job and we all have to get behind him now. I see no embarrassment at all in being beaten to the job by an exceptional manager.”