Leighton the right man to be No.1

All of today's leading players live in the media glare. It is part of the job and most of them handle it very well.

I don't know the reason behind Goram's decision but I believe this can work in Scotland's favour in their campaign in France. It is good that Goram has gone because there was no middle course in this matter.

If he had remained he had to be able to commit himself totally committed to the cause which he was obviously incapable of doing.

If he had stayed with his problems unresolved then this would have caused disruption within the squad. His departure means that Jim Leighton is now the undisputed No.1 and that is also a boost.

All season I have believed that he should be first choice. He has not had Goram's injuries to contend with nor has he had his off-field problems.

There was a time when he, too, considered calling it a day. Going into Euro96 he was the man in possession and was then dumped. I know that then he thought about calling time on his Scotland career.

But he didn't. He soldiered resolutely on and has proved beyond all doubt that he made the right decision. Maybe Goram will later regret his actions this week but there is no way back for him after what has happened.

Leighton is the right man for the job. He won't be fazed at the prospect of performing on the ultimate stage even though he hasn't the happiest memories playing against Brazil.

He lost an unfortunate goal against them in Turin during Italia 90 and he feared then that it could cost him any chance of playing for his country again.

But how many players turn out against the world champions and turn it on? No too many! Leighton has not lost an awful lot in terms of his ability and he has vast experience to compensate for the passing years.

He is a model professional and has been ever since he came to Pittodrie as a gangly kid. You don't play until the age of 39 unless you have looked after yourself.

Talent can get you to the top but unless you have other qualities, like self-sacrifice, mental toughness discipline and single-mindedness you won't stay there.

An awful lot more players would still be involved at the highest levels if they had possessed the entire package.

Leighton commands widespread respect throughout the game and can organise defences. Those in front of him, like Colin Hendry and Tom Boyd, are almost equally experienced and they have every confidence in the man.

So they should, because in my opinion Leighton is the main reason we are competing in France. His display against Sweden at Ibrox was one of his very best.

Scotland were outplayed and outclassed in almost every department yet we still emerged with a 1-0 victory and that was the result which was more significant than any other in the qualification process.

I also believe the Goram situation has allowed Craig Brown the opportunity to focus on who will be Scotland's No.1 after the World Cup.

I know Leighton has insisted he will still be around for Euro 2000, to be hosted jointly by Holland and Belgium. Well, I don't think he should be looking that far ahead because time catches you up very quickly.

As a player at the height of your powers you are convinced you can go on for ever. And then it is all over before you can blink an eye.

Craig can now assess how Neil Sullivan shapes up under World Cup conditions which are the most demanding of all. When Scotland depart France he will have a much clearer idea of their respective merits.

In my opinion, Wimbledon's Sullivan looks the heir-apparent.

He has the physique and the stature and playing in the Premiership every week is another argument in his favour.

All credit, though, to Jonathan Gould. Maybe he had a sniff that all was not well with Goram, training alone after the season finished to keep himself in shape.

It has paid off with his Scotland call-up and now he has the chance to claim a permanent place within his grasp.