Scotland select Strachan to replace Levein

Gordon Strachan has been named the new Scotland manager following November's dismissal of Craig Levein.

Levein departed after overseeing just three wins in 12 competitive games during nearly three years at the helm. Strachan, 55, takes the job having been out of work since leaving Middlesbrough FC in October 2010. The former Manchester United FC and Leeds United AFC midfielder, who lifted the European Cup Winners' Cup as a player with Aberdeen FC in 1983, has signed a contract until the end of UEFA EURO 2016 qualifying.

"I am very proud and my family are proud," the former Coventry City FC, Southampton FC and Celtic FC manager told Tuesday's press conference. "It shows how important the Scotland job is; it's a great day and 40 years in the making. The challenge is on behalf of the nation. I want to make the nation proud with help from other people. The time is right for me to be able to take a job like this.

"The main thing is to make people happy. The standard of football in Europe has improved dramatically in the past 20 years. We need to find a system that suits the squad here. This is a great job and the experiences I've had in management have prepared me for this. There will be good times and bad, but hopefully more good."

Strachan, who played 50 times for Scotland and scored against West Germany at the 1986 FIFA World Cup, will begin his new role with a 6 February friendly against Estonia at Pittodrie. He will then take charge of World Cup qualifiers against Wales at Hampden Park on 22 March and away to Serbia four days later. Scotland are bottom of qualifying Group A with two points from their first four matches. Strachan's back-room staff will be confirmed at a later date.