Scotland assistant Peter Houston has hit out at the Scottish Football Association for leaving Craig Levein stewing over his future as national team coach over the weekend.
The seven-man SFA board have been deliberating for several days over whether the former Hearts and Dundee United manager should keep his job after a poor start to the World Cup qualifying campaign where Scotland sit bottom of their group with two points from four matches.
Asked if the scenario was unfair on Levein, whose contract runs until summer 2014, Houston said: "I think so. It shouldn't take so long if I am being honest."
He added: "It is up to the SFA who have had plenty of time to discuss it and that decision might come tomorrow. There is a decision to be made. You either want to keep Craig Levein as manager or you want to remove him.
"It shouldn't take two or three days of conference calls to do that. Is it nearly three weeks since the Belgium game?
"Fair enough, the SFA were wanting to let the whole situation calm down a bit before discussing that but now they have discussed it over two days, and I am going with what I am reading and hearing, it shouldn't be that hard to make that decision.
"I spoke to Craig on Wednesday and I haven't spoken to him since. That is not my business as such but I still regard Craig Levein as one of the top managers in the game, I have worked with him so long, I know how good he is and I would like him to get that opportunity to stay on."
Scotland face Luxembourg in an away friendly on November 14 and do not have another qualifier until hosting Wales on March 22. Meanwhile,reports claim sacking Levein now could cost the SFA up to £700,000. The former Scotland defender has only won three of his 12 competitive matches in charge.
Houston confirmed he will also step down if Levein is removed from his post, saying: "I am not contracted. I joined Craig as his assistant when he asked me. I don't get any money for it, I never wanted any money for it.
"There is money paid to the club which goes to youth development, which is great. So if Craig is removed I will make a phone call to the SFA."
Source: PA
