Dick Advocaat has a personal connection to Scotland and right now they need someone who cares, says former Rangers star Bert Konterman

Dick Advocaat is the latest big name to be linked with the Scotland job.

The veteran Dutch coach is keen to meet with the Scottish FA to speak about the position.

Advocaat, of course, was a highly-successful Rangers boss during his three years at Ibrox, and then moved “upstairs” in 2001 to let Alex McLeish take over.

Now, 18 years on, there may well a role reversal as Advocaat is in the frame to succeed McLeish, who was sacked earlier this month.

There is also strong interest from Iran, as they want to take the 71-year-old as their national manager when he stands down from his role as FC Utrecht head coach in June.

Scottish FA chief executive, Ian Maxwell, is currently compiling a list of suitable candidates to fill the role.

David Moyes, currently out of work, Aberdeen manager, Derek McInnes, and Kilmarnock boss, Steve Clarke, are all serious contenders.

If the blazers on Hampden’s sixth floor decide to promote from within, Malky Mackay will be in with a serious shout.

Former Rangers and Holland star, Bert Konterman, believes Advocaat has plenty to offer.

He has worked under him and was signed by Advocaat for Rangers for £4.5-million in the summer of 2000.

Konterman, now coach of the Holland Under-20s, told The Sunday Post: “Dick has a wealth of experience in football, not only at club level but at international level.

“He has managed at  World Cups and European Championships.

“He is still a hard-working, honest coach, who is authentic and successful.

“He leads his staff well and allows influences and opinions

“That apart, emotionally he feels a connection to Scotland and he wants the nation to succeed.

“That’s important because in the situation Scotland finds itself in just now, the country needs someone who cares and will give 100%.

“I’m pretty sure Dick is on record as saying his time at Glasgow Rangers was the happiest of his club career.

“He knows about the passion in Scottish football, and he loves that.

“He thrives off intensity and pressure.

“I think he is a great candidate to become the national coach of Scotland.

“But there will be interest in him from elsewhere. He is in demand.”

Konterman won a Premier League medal with Rangers in 2003, and his time in Scotland is best remembered for a stunning, long-range winner against Celtic in the 2002 League Cup semi-final.

He still takes a keen interest in the Scottish game and believes things are not as bleak as some would have you believe.

“I think the Scotland national team has some very good players, players with the ability to make it to the Euro 2020 Finals,” Konterman continued.

“Dick would get the best out of those guys, and he will have a plan to make things work.

“He will know in order to give himself the best chance of making it work, he will need to be in Scotland full-time, and that’s what he would do.

“Knowing Dick’s professionalism and commitment, he will not look upon this as a job to go and wind down and enjoy the Scottish weather!

“He would see an opportunity such as this one as a major challenge – and he never likes to fail.

“Everyone knows that it has been more than 20 years since Scotland qualified for a major tournament.

“Indeed, the last time they were there was back in 1998 – the summer Dick started at Rangers.

“Getting to work with players such as Kieran Tierney, Andy Robertson, Fraser Fyvie, Scott McKenna, Callum McGregor and John McGinn would whet Dick’s appetite.

“Whether it is Dick or someone else, the positives are that they have a good squad to move forward
with.

“They also have a brilliant fan base in the Tartan Army and they are guaranteed a play-off place in March.

“So the job is attractive, that’s for sure.

“I’ve no doubt Scotland has a special place in Dick’s heart.

“He won the Treble with Rangers in 1999, and had some very good results in European football.

“He brought an excitement and a belief to the club, and players such as Giovanni van Bronckhorst, Arthur Numan, Michael Mols and Tugay lit up the place.

“He was also responsible for the growth in Barry Ferguson’s game.

“On and off the park, Dick took a full-time interest in Barry’s progress, and Barry would be the first to admit that.

“He gave Barry his chance in the first team and helped him through early nerves.

“Barry matured and developed into the captain of his club and his country.

“So Dick doesn’t look closely at age. He looks at ability. That is the main criteria.

“When you have core ability, the coach can then add other things to the game knowledge of the player to move towards the full package.

“Dick is experienced and clever in that sort of way.”