FOOTBALL: I Never Thought I’D See Day When I Was so Excited Abouta Squad Get-Together ; THE BIG INTERVIEW: WALTER SMITH

WALTER SMITH’S kitbag lies in the corner of his office, an hour- long workout in the gym just completed. The room is tidy. On his desk sit a computer, spectacles and mobile phone.

His tartan mug is filled to the top with strong tea.

On the wall behind his chair a huge 2005 calendar is spread out, some international fixtures filled in the appropriate boxes.

Surprisingly February 6, 7, 8 and 9 remain blank. The Scotland squad will come together at that time in Manchester to meet their new manager for the first time.

When Smith speaks about this gathering he has the enthusiasm and excitement of a kid counting down the days until Santa comes down the chimney.

Smith can’t promise to deliver as many goodies as the man with the white beard but smiled and said: ‘When you are in charge of a club side you have no time to think and every day just hits you in the face.

‘There is little chance to sit down and think. In this job there is lots of time to think.

‘The meeting in Manchester can’t come quickly enough. I will pick the pool this week and phone everyone before we meet up and have a quick blether.

‘We all know the results in the World Cup qualifying section have been poor so far and I hope the players are not too down.

‘They will have to take disappointments throughout their playing days and it’s all about how they handle them.

‘I don’t have a magic formula for this meeting. We just have to take it step by step and hope there will be an improvement.

‘I think we will improve. If I didn’t think that I wouldn’t have taken the job.’

Two of the country’s brightest talents are Barry Ferguson and Darren Fletcher. Smith has worked with both at club level and believes in them.

When Rangers were going for 10-in-a-row in season 1997-98 Ferguson, then 19, made 10 appearances in Smith’s first team.

Fergie wanted more than that and said on many occasions after Smith left that he was not used often enough.

Smith knew exactly where the player was coming from and said: ‘I read a lot of the stuff in the papers saying I never gave him a game. I was pleased he was moaning as it showed a good side of Barry.

‘He was an obvious talent and I always knew he would have a terrific career. He’s been doing well in the Premiership and is influencing the outcome of games.

‘My problem back then was that it was my last year at Ibrox and the last for many of the players who had helped bring so much success to the club. I had a loyalty to them.

‘I felt it was awkward to bring a boy of Barry’s age into the battle to get 10-in-a-row. John McGregor and John Brown, the reserve team coaches, wanted me to play him.

‘Maybe I’m guilty of being too careful. ‘But when I met Dick Advocaat in the January of my final season to discuss the personnel at Rangers I told him there was a fine young player who would be good enough to feature in his team as soon as he took overfrom me in the summer.

‘I knew Barry would do well at Ibrox and that Dick was lucky to have him.’ Rangers didn’t win 10-in-a-row as Wim Jansen’s Celtic stopped them. The title race went down to the last day and guys like Henrik Larsson, Paul Lambert, Craig Burley, SimonDonnelly, Marc Rieper and Alan Stubbs played a part in the Parkhead success story. But perhaps the most influential was Jackie McNamara who won the SPFA Player of the Year that season. Smith probably cursed him at the time but is now looking forward toworking with McNamara. He said: ‘I know there’s a lot of talk about Barry and Darren but I’m looking forward to working with all the players. I can’t just pick out two or three.

‘We might not have the individual stars we had in the past but we have a solid level of professional footballers.

‘I’m thinking about guys like Jackie. He can play in a number of positions and has been so consistent in the past couple of seasons. I’ll need players like him.’

McNamara has been in the top flight for a decade but what about the kids grabbing the headlines just now?

Do guys like Derek Riordan, Garry O’Connor and Zander Diamond have a chance of strutting their stuff at Manchester United’s Carrington training ground under Walter’s microscope?

He said: ‘I’ve taken in a few games up here and down south but the weather has stopped me seeing as many as I would have liked.

‘Watching matches and keeping on top of the way players are performing is the most important part of my job.

‘I know we’ve a few good young players but I have to be certain they’re ready to come in. There would be nothing worse than bringing in a youngster then leaving him out after being in two or three squads.

‘That would be detrimental and could really knock his confidence.

‘I’ll speak to their club managers and take guidance. I need to be sure if youngsters are ready to come in and stay for the long- haul.

‘A number of young lads are doing well but care has to be taken. Few Under-21 boys are playing full internationals.’

So the days of handing out caps like swizzle sticks are well and truly over.

Berti Vogts was guilty of that and his assistant Tommy Burns was critical of him. Burns remains as No.2 and Smith is pleased.

He said: ‘Many people thought Tommy might be tainted by working with Vogts but I don’t see it that way. I’ve always admired him when he was with Kilmarnock and Celtic.

‘I think we’ll have a good balance and he is an excellent man for the job. We’re both looking forward to working with the players at Carrington. It’s a superb facility and I enjoyed being there every day during my 10 weeks as Sir Alex Ferguson’sassistant.

‘I was really nervous as I walked across the training ground to take the Man United players for training. Yes, I had butterflies, there was a bit of trepidation.

‘But I couldn’t have enjoyed anything more. The players made it easy for me.’

‘Easy’ is something the Scotland gaffer won’t label his first game in charge – away to Italy on March 26.

He said: ‘I’m pleased the game is in the San Siro in Milan. Italy are rightly favourites to win the group and we really must win, or at least draw, to stay in contention.

‘They beat Belarus 4-3 but it’s not often Italian teams lose three goals so there might be something there for us.

‘We’ll be well prepared. Throughout my career I have been sensible in my approach.

‘Yes, I’ve had moments of anger but they will remain private. Hopefully I won’t have too many as manager of Scotland.’