MARK McGHEE said last night that he will continue in his role as Scotland assistant after he was appointed manager of Motherwell for the second time, signing a contract to take over at Fir Park until 2017.
McGhee, who previously managed the club between 2007 and 2009, was unveiled as Ian Baraclough’s successor last night and admitted he will continue with the national team – should Gordon Strachan remain in position.
“I will continue to be the assistant manager there if the manager continues to be the manager there,” he said. “We are all waiting to hear how that is going to fall. If Gordon continues as manager then, yes, and he has made it clear that he would like me to continue and the club here, particularly the owner, Les [Hutchison], is more than happy for me to continue [as Scotland assistant].
"When I got the call saying the board were interested in talking to me you have an instant reaction and it was a positive thing in my head, my heart.
“After speaking to the football committee and the owner and hearing his intentions and motivations, I became convinced it was something I could get my teeth into.”
McGhee was unable to provide any clear indication as to whether his close friend Strachan was likely to remain as manager of the national team, however he is hoping that the reception he received from the 12,000-strong Tartan Army in Faro after Scotland’s final Euro 2016 qualification group match against Gibraltar may persuade him to carry on, despite Scotland's failure to qualify for the tournament.
McGhee said: “I can't talk for everyone, of course, but for the vast majority of people I have spoken to and certainly from the reaction that Gordon got after the Gibraltar game, I know he found it absolutely extraordinary.
“I would think it would measure as one of the great moments in his career. It was a very special night, so I think that would do him a power of good and I would hope that like many of those guys that he will continue.
“I still feel like everyone else: absolutely gutted and still in a bit of shock with regards to the fact that we haven't qualified and we aren't even in the play-offs. I feel that is a huge disappointment and I feel, like Gordon does, culpability in that.
“We can talk about bad luck, whatever way you want to dress it up; ultimately we haven't qualified and that was the task put to us.
“There has been progress and I think we deserve to be judged by results. If someone said you didn't qualify, you are up the road, then I think you would have to accept that, but I don't think they could deny there has been progress and improvement. A style has emerged and I think that is a good template for going forward.
“The way Gordon has the team, it has a future and I hope he keeps developing it and takes it on to the next tournament, but only he can answer that.
“I don't know, I couldn't read Gordon, he is not easy to read. He will make his own decision but I hope he continues.”
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