Scotland can compete for major championships again if they get the right man to lead the team, according to Burnley manager Owen Coyle.
The Paisley-born 43-year-old ruled himself out of the running almost as soon as George Burley was sacked on Monday as he remains committed to the Clarets' Barclays Premier League campaign. However, Coyle - who managed at Falkirk and St Johnstone before moving to England - disagreed with fellow Scot and former international Graeme Souness, who claimed the current players were limited.
"I would suggest you look at the players available to Scotland on the international front," he said. "I think they have the nucleus of a squad to challenge for the European Championships in 2012."
He added: "They have some terrific young, talented players, with a mix of good, experienced players and when you put them together there is no doubt Scotland can be a force at international level again.
"The SFA (Scottish Football Association) have to look to get the right man to pull that squad together and if they do they can challenge again.
"Scotland have always punched above their weight but they are passionate and fierce and they can get back to major championships as they have done before.
"It is about getting that squad together and giving them the belief but they have the talented players to do it."
