Gary McAllister has thrown his weight behind Rafa Benitez in the race to become the next Scotland manager, insisting the Spaniard's experience at the top of European football would be a major asset.
Benitez, 66, was sacked by Panathinaikos in May and said earlier this month that he would be open to his first job in international football. The former Liverpool, Real Madrid and Napoli boss is among the favourites to replace Steve Clarke, who resigned after Scotland crashed out in the group stage of the World Cup.
Champions League pedigree
Benitez's CV includes guiding Liverpool to Champions League glory in 2005, when they recovered from 3-0 down against AC Milan in the final to triumph on penalties. He had taken over at Anfield in 2004, spending six seasons there — two years after McAllister left the club as a player.
McAllister, a Hampden Hall of Fame inductee, believes Benitez would fit Scottish football well.
"I speak to the other boys who worked under Rafa, it was obviously after I left, but most of the guys I played with at Liverpool under Gérard Houllier stayed on," McAllister said.
"They really enjoyed working under Rafa. I think he was a good man-manager. I think he was very disciplined in his thinking and very thorough and meticulous in his preparation.
"That's not to say the previous Scotland managers hadn't done that. Just having that little bit of European experience from playing in the elite level of the Champions League would help internationally.
"Rafa is somebody who could cope with the Scottish people."
Open-minded recruitment
McAllister noted that Benitez has already been linked with the job and expects the Scottish Football Association to cast the net wide in its search for Clarke's successor.
"I saw Rafa was linked. I have no inside information, but I would imagine they're looking at interviewing people from outside Scotland," he said.
"You know, just looking south of the border, Thomas Tuchel took over England. They might not be people with the profile of Tuchel. I don't know what the Scotland job pays, but I think they'll leave no stone unturned.
"I think they'll be really diligent in the recruitment and in deciding how we move this forward.
"Steve has just got us to three major tournaments after a long spell of not getting to a Euros or a World Cup. I felt he did an amazing job. Maybe it was a wee bit hasty at the end when he decided to leave, but he'll have thought that through meticulously. He's done a great job for the country."
McAllister ready to help
The 61-year-old, who won 57 caps for Scotland and captained the side at Euro 96, has not coached since leaving Aston Villa with Steven Gerrard four years ago. But he says he would answer the call if asked to contribute to the national setup in any capacity.
"I'm enjoying life at the moment. But yeah, it goes without saying, whenever anybody from the SFA, or any of the Scottish guys who are coaching or managing out there, asks for help, you would help at any point," McAllister said.
"As a former player and a former captain, everybody wants to see their country do well, and you'll do everything you can to help. Whatever it is, whether that's going to watch a game or going to watch an opponent, you would always be keen to help the manager who is in the job."
Nations League first
Whoever takes charge will begin with six Nations League matches against Slovenia, Switzerland and North Macedonia, home and away, in September, October and November. Euro 2028 qualifiers will follow.
Andy Robertson will be 34 and John McGinn 33 by the time the next major championship comes around. McAllister is convinced both still have at least one tournament left in them.
"I certainly do. John McGinn is still only 31-years-old, and he's been magnificent for club and country over the last 12 months," he said.
"Yeah, I think the pair of them are still a key part of Scotland moving forward. Andy has shown by signing for Spurs that he's nowhere near ready to hang his boots up.
"When you've seen what those two have done for their country, they won't be pulling away from Scotland games, that's for sure. I think they've still got a bit to give, and they'll be keen to represent Scotland in what could be a home European Championships in two years' time."
