Paul Hartley: Why are people in Scotland always quick to judge and put our own nation down?

PAUL HARTLEY has inside knowledge of Alex McLeish.

So he is perfectly placed to give an authoritative opinion on the former Rangers and Birmingham City manager being given the Scotland job again.

Hartley, now manager of Championship Falkirk, was at the heart of the Euro 2008 qualification campaign that started with Walter Smith at the helm and carried on when Big Eck was put in charge after Smith left to go back to Ibrox.

McLeish inherited a team that had defeated France at Hampden with Gary Caldwell’s famous winner.

So expectations were high.

The former Aberdeen defender tackled the job head-on, and took us all the way to a dramatic finale, with Hartley an integral part of his midfield throughout.

The controversial 2-1 defeat to World Champions Italy in the last game of the section knocked us out.

But during that campaign, McLeish had also delivered a 1-0 win of his own against the French, thanks to a stunning strike from James McFadden in Paris.

So McLeish’s stock was high and he left the national post just weeks later to take over at Birmingham.

Indeed, some of the public were outraged at his decision and that anger remains, hence the reason so many have been critical of McLeish’s return to Hampden.

But, as he showed at his media conference on Friday morning, he will not hide from his detractors.

McLeish will do his very best to show this is a good appointment by the SFA hierarchy.

That process starts in under five weeks with the friendlies against Costa Rica and Hungary.

But the real time to pass judgment will come after the competitive games against Albania and Israel, between September and November, in the UEFA Nations League.

Hartley has no doubt that McLeish will do well, and told The Sunday Post: “I think this is a very good appointment.

“I have to say I’m a wee bit surprised about some of the backlash towards Alex being back in.

“Really, what do people want? Why are people in Scotland always quick to judge and put our own nation down?

“This is a time to support the new national manager and get behind the players.

“We have an important nine-month period coming up and there needs to be togetherness.

“It’s not going to enhance our chances of qualifying for Euro 2020 if there is negativity surrounding the national team before a competitive ball has even been kicked.

“But, in some ways, it might be a good thing that there are voices of discontent.

“I’m not suggesting Alex would have been relaxed and in a comfort zone if there was 100% backing for him.

“But having worked with Alex, I know he will have that extra determination to prove his doubters wrong.

“That’s human nature, isn’t it?

“He will want to be standing at Hampden 18 months from now as the man who had led the country to a major tournament for the first time in more than 20 years. I can’t think of any better motivation.

“I was part of the squad when we came so close just over decade ago. That near miss still eats away at me.

“But I got a clear insight into Alex’s skills as a manager and a as person during that campaign.

“He was different class. He holds a room as soon as he walks into it. He has earned respect from his achievements in football.

“He took over from Walter Smith and the transition was seamless.

“Walter had Tommy Burns and Ally McCoist as his backroom team and they were brilliant, inspired appointments by Walter.

“Alex brought in Roy Aitken and Andy Watson and they were also different class.

“It’s important to have good men around you, and men that the players can talk to and relax with.

“I see Alex has Peter Grant and James McFadden in mind for his backroom men, and I can understand that selection process.

“Alex and his men will make sure the players work hard, are prepared properly and also enjoy being part of the national set-up.

“I hope that, together, they can carry the country to a major tournament.

“I’ll never forget how close we came that night against Italy. The build-up to the game all week was incredible. The whole country was united, gearing towards one thing.

“I’ve never known anything like it. We were all just so keen to get the job done, no one more so than Alex.

“So we were devastated not to get over the line.

“Yes, I was surprised when Alex left a couple of months later. The players wanted to kick on under him and go again. But it wasn’t to be.

“We were all in a wee bit of shock, to be honest. I think his departure set us back for a wee while.

“But, again, Alex will feel he has unfinished business as national manager, and that can only be a positive.”

Hartley believes McLeish has inherited a strong squad, and added: “When I look at the players he has to choose from, I’d say he is in a fortunate position.

“I think Gordon Strachan has left something really strong to work with and build on.

“I mean, look at the performances from Callum McGregor, Kieran Tierney and James Forrest the other night for Celtic against Zenit. All three were brilliant.

“You’ve got Andrew Robertson looking sensational at Liverpool.

“We then have good central defenders in Aberdeen’s Scott McKenna, Ross McCrorie at Rangers and recent Celtic signing, Jack Hendry.

“Russell Martin will look to get it all going for himself at Rangers, and then we have Christophe Berra in the form of his career at Hearts.

“Of course, I get the point that we don’t play competitively until September. But the signs are promising.”

Hartley would also love to see his former club and international team-mate, Scott Brown, stay in the international fold, but reckons McLeish should prepare for life without him in the set-up.

And that’s why he feels McLeish and the SFA should do everything in their power to convince Manchester United midfielder Scott McTominay to pledge his international future to Scotland.

McTominay has played in the United first team under Jose Mourinho this season, and is highly rated by the Portuguese. But the 6ft 4in midfield powerhouse also qualifies to play for England, the country of his birth.

Hartley said: “I’m not certain what Scott Brown will decide to do.

“But, as a manager, you must always prepare for the worst-case scenario, and that would be Scott retiring once and for all.

“You then need a plan, and Scott McTominay ticks all the boxes.

“I’m not saying he is a direct replacement for Scott, but we need to get as many good players on board as possible.

“Scott is excellent and he has been getting rave reviews down south. I totally understand why.

“He looks as though he’s going to have everything in his locker, and he’d be a real asset to the Scotland team.

“When Jose Mourinho picks him for his Manchester United team, then you know there has to be something quite special about the boy.

“I hope he commits his future to Scotland.

“But, of course, this isn’t going to be a one-man job, on or off the park. Success over the next campaign will need to be a team effort.

“Alex has had some fine success and memorable moments in his managerial career.

“But I hope his best is yet to come.”