Gordon Smith: Strachan should walk away if Scotland fail to make Euro 2016

THE future of Gordon Strachan as Scotland manager is hanging in the balance.

If he fails to lead the country to at least third place in Euro qualifying Group D, then he should do the right thing and walk away.

There had been nothing but positivity about the national team prior to the disastrous defeat in Georgia.

I have been very supportive of the job done by Gordon and it is important to point out that qualification is still possible.

There is talk of the SFA offering him a new contract. But I don’t feel that can happen unless the Scots finish above the Republic of Ireland in the group.

Even if we lose out in a play-off but perform well, there will be a case for him being retained.

However, there is need for a bit of perspective where Scotland’s progress is concerned.

The only reason for us still having a chance of making it to France is the expansion of the European Championships to 24 teams.

Without that, we would already be sunk.

Much is made of the quality of player at Strachan’s disposal but we also have to look at the performances of recent managers.

Most people agree that Gordon has as talented a bunch as we’ve had for some time.

Walter Smith and Alex McLeish both played a part in the qualifying campaign for Euro 2008 and comfortably finished third in a group that also contained Italy and France.

George Burley took over as boss and received tremendous criticism during his reign.

But the facts show us that he got Scotland to equal second place in World Cup qualifying Group 9. Scotland were placed third on goal difference behind Norway.

Grant Hanley and Charlie Mulgrew trudge off after another defeat (SNS Group / Alan Harvey)

If Chris Iwelumo had scored that famous open goal against the Norwegians, then second spot and a play-off would have been achieved.

Craig Levein was the next man to try and take Scotland to a major Finals for the first time since 1998.

He was also heavily criticised but again took the team to third spot.

If a controversial last-minute penalty hadn’t been awarded to the Czech Republic at Hampden, then second place and a play-off would have been the outcome.

So we’ve had a succession of managers all finishing at least third.It’s the least that we should expect this time.

At the moment Scotland are sitting in fourth place and that’s tremendously disappointing.Do you agree with Gordon Smith? Yes, Strachan should go if we don’t qualify No, he should stay for the next campaignThe Tartan Army had been planning a return to France, scene of the country’s last participation in a major Finals. But now . . .

If the team can’t improve on their current standing, I would expect Gordon to hold his hands up and admit we’ve had a disastrous campaign. He is a man of honour and will understand the consequences of failing in a results-based business.

Let’s hope that doesn’t happen because Scottish football would get a tremendous boost from being back on the big stage.

Some people may feel that Strachan should be kept on regardless of how the qualification process ends. Many believe that it would be hard to recruit a successor.

I don’t believe that would be the case. McLeish is currently out of work and would fall into the category of suitable candidates.

Let’s get behind Gordon in the last two matches and hope we still have a reason to back him after the Gibraltar game on October 11.Read more from Gordon Smith – click here