STUART MCCALL says he's sure Scotland can reach the 2018 World Cup after stepping down as assistant coach.
The former Motherwell and Rangers boss was appointed as Bradford City manager for the second time yesterday and will leave his national team position as a result.
He joined the setup in 2013, becoming an assistant to Gordon Strachan alongside current Motherwell manager Mark McGhee.
Read more: Former Rangers boss Stuart McCall named new Bradford manager
Today McCall confirmed that he will be leaving the role, underlining that he believes Strachan can achieve World Cup qualification despite failing to make it to Euro 2016.
“Firstly, I would like to thank Gordon, Mark, the playing staff and the backroom team for making my time as assistant national coach so enjoyable,” he said.
“While I am as disappointed as any fan that we did not qualify for the Euros I remain convinced that we have enough quality, determination and experience to reach the World Cup finals in Russia in 2018.
“It has been an honour and a privilege to serve my country and I would like to thank the Scottish FA for that opportunity, as well as my previous clubs, Motherwell and Rangers, for enabling me to assist Gordon and Mark.
“I’ve never hidden my desire to return to club management and I am delighted to be back at Bradford, a club that is dear to my heart. The programme of fixtures means I can no longer continue to work with Scotland but I spoke to Gordon when the opportunity arose and, as you would expect, he was terrific, fully understood the situation and wished me the best of luck.
“I will miss working with the players and staff and will join the thousands of fans supporting the team when the qualifiers begin in September.”
Strachan will lead Scotland in the upcoming qualifiers against England, Slovakia, Slovenia, Lithuania and Malta and thanked McCall for his efforts.
He said: “I am delighted for Stuart and I know he will do an excellent job at Bradford.
"He was a really valuable member of the team and will be missed: not only was an excellent coach, but he was popular with the squad and backroom staff and had a passion and infectious enthusiasm about playing his part for his country.”
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