SFA should be grateful - Hateley
Former Rangers striker Mark Hateley believes the Scottish Football Association should smooth Walter Smith’s return to Ibrox as a gesture of goodwill.
The SFA have refused to buckle under pressure from Smith to let him return to Rangers, where as manager he steered the club to seven league titles in the 1990s.
But Hateley told the Daily Record PM: “One way or another Walter will go back to Rangers – David Murray wants him and that’s where Walter wants to be after single-handedly restoring Scotland’s credibility. He took the job when no sane person would have touched it with a bargepole.”
Scotland’s bright start to their Euro 2008 qualifying campaign under Smith has led to hopes that the Tartan Army could be on their way to a major finals.
Hateley, now 45, played for Rangers from 1990-95, scoring over 100 goals and forging a feared partnership with Ally McCoist, who could return alongside Smith as a coach.
Now Hateley claims the SFA should recognise the progress Scotland have made under Smith, and allow him to leave in dignified circumstances.
“His achievements will stand the next manager in good stead and now there will be a queue of people wanting to take on the job as national team boss,” said Hateley.
“The SFA should be grateful for that and not be bitter by refusing his wish to leave.”
