McLeish appointed Scotland manager

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GLASGOW, Scotland -- Former Rangers coach Alex McLeish has been handed the task of leading Scotland to the Euro 2008 finals and beyond after being named as Walter Smith's replacement on Monday.

The 48-year-old former international will lead the national team through the rest of the qualifying campaign and also take Scotland towards the World Cup in 2010, the Scottish FA said.

"To say I am thrilled is an understatement," McLeish, renowned as a tough-tackling defender in a 17-year playing career that earned him 77 caps, told a news conference.

"To be manager of your home nation is a very proud day indeed for Alex McLeish and my family and friends."

McLeish said speaking to Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson, for whom he formed a highly-effective defensive partnership alongside Willie Miller in the successful Aberdeen side in the 1980s, had helped convince him to take the post.

"Yes (I spoke with Alex) and he advised me to take it - without even thinking about it. It is a great honor," he said.

McLeish stepped down as Rangers manager last year after winning seven trophies in five seasons and becoming the first boss to steer a Scottish club into the Champions League knockout phase last season.

He was replaced by Paul Le Guen but the Frenchman lasted only seven months and Rangers persuaded Smith to leave the Scotland job, creating the vacancy.

David Taylor, the SFA's chief executive, said: "We have moved quickly to fill the vacancy caused by the unexpected departure of Walter Smith (to Rangers)earlier this month.

"I am sure all of Scotland will get behind Alex in support of the national side as we try to build on the improved performances of recent times."

Scotland top Euro 2008 qualifying Group B with nine points from four games and their next fixture is against Georgia on March 24 at Hampden Park.

McLeish said he hoped to build on the impressive start but warned against raised expectations. "It is a very, very difficult group. We had a bonus result against France (a 1-0 home victory in October) and a marvellous performance," he said.

"If you were to look at it, everybody... in this room would expect France and Italy to be still the clear favourites.

"It is 11 against 11, we know that and we have had some good results recently, but we should not be dismissing the threat of Georgia.

His first engagement with the national team will be on February 4, when the Scotland squad starts a three-day gathering at Turnberry Hotel in Ayrshire.

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