SFA chief executive Stewart Regan has hit out at 'disrespectful' speculation over Gordon Strachan's future and insists a win over England next month would put Scotland in a good position to qualify for the 2018 World Cup.
The national manager came under fire after a disappointing international break at the start of October saw his team pick up just one point from qualifying games against Lithuania and Slovakia.
Strachan's side travel to Wembley next on November 11 and a defeat would put their chances of reaching Russia 2018 in serious jeopardy, but Regan remains optimistic that a successful campaign is achievable.
"We had a discussion, not about whether he'd continue - Gordon's under contract - about the performance of the first three games," Regan told BBC Scotland.
"Nobody was more disappointed than Gordon. He felt we should have been in a better position after three games.
"It's all about results. Results will determine what happens as far as Scotland is concerned.
"There are 21 points still to play for. If we win at Wembley, we're right back in the mix.
"I think it's disrespectful to be talking about a manager's contract this early in the campaign."
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