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From the latest transfer news, quizzes, videos, features and interviews with the biggest names in the game, plus lots more.Signup +Once a week...And its LIVE!Sign up to our FREE live football newsletter, tracking all of the biggest games available to watch on the device of your choice. Never miss a kick-off!Signup +Join the clubGet full access to premium articles, exclusive features and a growing list of member rewards.Explore An account already exists for this email address, please log in.Subscribe to our newsletterThe pull of the Scotland national job is clear to Alex McLeish, with the 67-year-old twice having jumped at the chance to lead his country.His first stint came in 2007 and was an offer he could not turn down, even if it came earlier than his career than he had originally planned.A second spell came 11 years later in 2018 and although, as was the case with his first stint, it proved to be brief, the Tartan Army are still benefitting from one vital, exhausting act of service from McLeish.Article continues below You may like Hes getting close to the realms of Maradona Gary McAllister on the genius of Scott McTominay, and why Manchester United were daft to let him go Thomas Tuchel told me Keep doing what youre doing, keep performing, then youve got every chance of coming back with us I feel like I left a decent impression Bournemouth's Alex Scott tells FFT about message from England boss after first call-up 'My kids couldnt come to the game because of the level of abuse' Russell Martin breaks silence on toxic Rangers spell McLeish on Scotland and his McTominay pilgrimage McLeishs first spell as Scotland boss came after a four-and-a-half-year stint in charge of Rangers, during which time he won two Scottish Premier Leagues, a pair of Scottish Cups and three League Cups.The Glasgow-born boss was only 48 when he took over the national team and he felt it was an opportunity he could not turn down.Get VIP Manchester United tickets HERE with Seat Unique!Manchester United's hospitality offers comfortable, padded seating in the North West Quadrant. The package includes a concourse meal deal (hot food, drink, and snack) and the official matchday programme. Guests also receive a 10 per cent Megastore discount and non-matchday Museum entry, providing a great value, family-friendly match experience for home fans.Read moreRead lessView DealId always said that I wouldnt go into international football as quickly as that, he admits to FourFourTwo. But of course, when the call came to manage Scotland, I felt Id be betraying the country if I said no.The minute I got asked, no-brainer. It was very difficult to have the same rapport you had with your club squad as you only had them for a few days, but I loved it.Get FourFourTwo NewsletterThe best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.Despite a historic win over France in the Parc des Princes during Euro 2008 qualifying, McLeish did not even last a year in the job, leaving to take the job at Premier League side Birmingham City.Stints at Aston Villa, Nottingham Forest, Genk and Zamalek followed, before Scotland came calling again.The Scots would win their 2018/19 Nations League group under McLeish, but his stint is perhaps best known for the role he played in convincing then-Manchester United midfielder Scott McTominay - born in Lancaster - to pledge his international allegiance to Scotland.Jose Mourinho had said I should come to Manchester to talk to Scott before England got him, McLeish continues. I hopped on the train from Edinburgh but storms held us up somewhere in North East England and the train was abandoned in the end. It had been an awful journey.Eventually, I arrived at something like 4.30 in the morning, having to get up the next day to meet them. Luckily, I could join for lunch rather than breakfast. When Scott walked in he was such a big presence, and you could tell there was a player there.I just said to him, Obviously, you would like to play at international level, can it be for Scotland? He replied, Yes, 100 per cent. It was worth the trip!TOPICSScotlandManchester UnitedPremier LeagueJoe MewisSocial Links NavigationFor more than a decade, Joe Mewis has worked in football journalism as a reporter and editor. Mewis has had stints at Mirror Football and LeedsLive among others and worked at FourFourTwo throughout Euro 2024, reporting on the tournament. In addition to his journalist work, Mewis is also the author of four football history books that include times on Leeds United and the England national team. Now working as a digital marketing coordinator at Harrogate Town, too, Mewis counts some of his best career moments as being in the iconic Spygate press conference under Marcelo Bielsa and seeing his beloved Leeds lift the Championship trophy during lockdown.
