Gordon Strachan to stay on as Scotland manager

Gordon Strachan is to remain as Scotland boss after the SFA board gave their backing to the coach following a five-hour meeting at Hampden today.

Gordon Strachan has led Scotland to three wins in their last ten competitive matches

The 59-year-old’s position has been under increased scrutiny following last Friday’s 3-0 defeat by England at Wembley, which has left Scotland’s World Cup qualification hopes hanging by a thread.

It is understood all eight Scottish FA board members were present at Hampden to discuss the manager’s position and decided he should remain in charge for the remainder of the qualifying campaign which recommences with the visit of Slovenia on March 26.

Scotland second bottom in Group F having taken four points from a possible 12 and have only won three of their last ten competitive matches, two of which came against Gibraltar.

Strachan signed a new two-year deal in October 2015 despite failing to qualify for Euro 2016, admitting the rousing reception he received from the Tartan Army in the final qualifing match against Gibraltar was a factor in his decision.

SFA chief executive Stewart Regan said today: “The board have considered the team’s performance since the start of the campaign and subsequently discussed the disappointing points total after four matches.

“Gordon shared the disappointment of the board and, of course, the fans. He is adamant, however, that we can recover the position and believes a play-off place still to be attainable.

“The board are convinced that he still has the hunger for this challenge and we have four home qualifiers in 2017 to rejuvenate our campaign.

“We support Gordon unanimously in improving our qualification prospects.”

Strachan said: “We were all extremely disappointed with the result on Friday night but having reflected on our performance, I still believe we can get ourselves back into contention in the group.

“There are still 18 points to play for and the players, the staff and I, as in previous games, will give everything we have to turn things around.

“I have said consistently that our fans deserve success and a return to a major tournament finals.

“Although we have had a difficult start to the campaign, I firmly believe that this group of players, together with our supporters, can maximise our chances of a play-off place, starting with the home match against Slovenia in March.”