Gordon Strachan is our only reason for optimism

Gordon Strachan has Scotland on the up.

What a way to start a season. Scotland’s three representatives out of the Europa League before a ball was kicked in the domestic League campaign.

Celtic should have been out of the Champions League, too, but for Legia Warsaw’s incomprehensible error. The fact they are still in hides nothing.

The early demise of Motherwell, Aberdeen and St Johnstone means it will be more difficult in years to come as co-efficients continue to plummet.

At this rate, Scotland’s clubs will start Euro qualifiers at the first stage along with teams from outposts such as Gibraltar, Andorra and San Marino.

The days when Celtic and Rangers qualified automatically for Champions League group stages are gone for ever.

Celtic’s 6-1 aggregate defeat to the Polish Champions illustrates the poverty of the game in Scotland. The only thing to divert fans from the mundane League season is Scotland’s European Championship campaign.

As the quality of the domestic game continues its downward spiral, it’s no surprise the vast majority of players favoured by national boss Gordon Strachan are based down south.

But you certainly won’t get the old moans from decades ago about too many Anglos in the team.

Strachan has only been in charge for a dozen internationals, using 42 players. Yet just nine were home-based.

Since last season Andy Robertson has moved from Dundee United to Hull City, Kris Commons and Kenny Miller have retired from international football while Murray Davidson, Lee Wallace and Gary Mackay-Steven have yet to add to their substitute-only appearances.

Celtic pair Scott Brown and Charlie Mulgrew are the only home-based players who can claim to be Scotland regulars.

The vast majority 19 come from England’s second tier, although encouragingly Strachan has been able to call on 14 players from the English Premier League.

With these players Strachan has shown the same flair for the job as he did when Celtic manager and appears to have turned the corner with Scotland. If anyone can help save our game, it’s him.

Between now and June next year, Scotland play six qualifiers in the hope of reaching the 2016 Euro Finals in France.

Getting to France would give the game in Scotland a much-needed boost. Even more so when you consider club sides accrue 20% of the coefficient attained by the national team.