Source: Team_Talk
Smith gives Scotland advice to Levein
But the Rangers boss believes the Scottish Football Association have identified the right man to transform the fortunes of the national team.[LNB]Dundee United have confirmed that Levein, 45, has left the Tayside club, paving the way for him to succeed George Burley as Scotland boss.[LNB]"Patience is not something you are going to get," said Smith, who was also linked with a return to the post in the wake of Burley's sacking last month.[LNB]"There isn't such a thing. That's one of the pressures that you take on board when you go to the national team.[LNB]"It's good to have everyone behind you but you have to go in and show there is an upturn right away. That's the same for every managerial job."[LNB]If anyone knows what it takes to resurrect the hopes of a nation, it is Smith.[LNB]He managed to steer Scotland back on course in the wake of Berti Vogts' disastrous rein and has backed Levein to do the same this time around.[LNB]"I think Scotland have still got a good squad of players and a squad of players who still have a basis to achieve a decent level of success," said Smith.[LNB]"I don't think anybody is going to say we are going to win tournaments or anything like that.[LNB]"But I think Craig can get the team back up into a position where we would be challenging for qualification for finals to tournaments.[LNB]"That would ultimately be a success for Scotland."[LNB]Smith ruled himself out of the running after reports suggested he had emerged as one of the SFA's preferred candidates to succeed Burley.[LNB]But, despite his reluctance to return to the role he held for two years, the Ibrox boss insisted: "I don't think it's a poisoned chalice.[LNB]"There is nowhere near the number of people playing football now in Scotland that there should be and that always limits your opportunities at the top level.[LNB]"But I still think we have a number of players that can bring success. That lack of players isn't just in Scotland, it's happening in a load of countries.[LNB]"Scotland still have a number of players who, if you get them together - which Craig has been good at with his teams - still have the opportunity to succeed."[LNB]Asked what advice he would offer Levein, Smith replied: "To go in and enjoy the job and hopefully get everything together again and get Scotland going well.[LNB]"But I don't think it should be for me to give him advice. I just hope, like everybody else, that he does extremely well in the job.[LNB]"It's important that our national team, as well as our club sides, show that the profile of Scottish football is good. That includes the national team so I hope Craig does well."[LNB][LNB]
