Alex McLeish resigns - Scotland left in lurch again

So Scotland boss Alex McLeish has resigned this afternoon after the SFA blocked Birmingham City's request to speak to the former Hibs and Rangers boss.

He's the second man to quit the post in a matter of months after Walter Smith turned his back on the side to rejoin David Murray at Ibrox paving the way for Eck's appointment.

It's disappointing that both men thought so little of the post, preferring instead the cut and thrust and dare I say money of club football.

But just when did the Scotland job become so unloved?

At what moment in history did it become nothing but a shop window for fallen football managers to rebuild their shattered careers?

No doubt we'll soon hear how Graeme Souness, Roy Aitken and perhaps Tommy Burns are among the front-runners to take over.

Some Jambo friends have suggested the well traveled Jim Jefferies at the end of the line with Killie, or the highly rated Craig Levein now at Dundee Utd.

For me, I'd like to see a little role reversal. I'd like to see the SFA and Gordon Smith do a little bit of poaching themselves.

Souness may be a contender, but do we really believe he wouldn't be off in exactly the same way as soon as a Russian millionaire came calling?

No, I'd like to see Gordon Strachan offered the gig.

He has led Celtic to some of its most convincing European runs and League titles in recent seasons, yet gets nothing but grief from an ungrateful support.

Success isn't enough for some of the Hoops followers, they want swagger and style. Fair play to them, but I'd settled to see the Jambos fly the flag just once.

And clearly the day to day jousting with the media and pressures of life in the Old Firm don't suit the wee man's fiery nature.

But what if you could harness that passion for the National team?

We saw it on the pitch when he was a Scotland player, we see it now he is in management.

And if one thing is certain, Strachan would appreciate the honour of leading his country, and the respect it would foster among the fans.

A respect which, in my book, neither the fickle Smith or McLeish now deserve.