No Scotland return for Smith
20 Nov 2009 - 12:44:49
Rangers boss Walter Smith insists he is not interested in returning to the helm of the Scotland national team.
The 61-year-old spent two years in charge of the national team before leaving to retake the manager's job at Ibrox in 2006.
However, despite emerging as the frontrunner to replace the sacked George Burley, Smith insists he is fully committed to the Rangers job.
Speaking about his decision to walk away from the job in the midst of Euro 2008 qualifying, he said: "We were in the middle of a qualifying campaign and were trying to reach the European Championship.
"But, after making the decision to leave Scotland at that time, I don't feel it would be right to go back and that is the situation. The matter is now closed as far as I am concerned."
Speaking to the Evening Times, Smith continued: "I'd like to stress I have never been offered the Scotland job again. I haven't spoken to anyone at the SFA.
"What I am doing is responding to press speculation in a bid to end it as I don't think it is fair on anyone.
"The fact is, I left the Scotland job of my own volition. Sometimes when you get the sack, it is actually easier to go back. But when you make your own decision to leave then it isn't that easy.
"So that is my stance. I thoroughly enjoyed my time as Scotland manager. It was a difficult decision at the time to leave and go back to Rangers."