Young Scotland find old head in Bonhof

Rainer Bonhof has agreed a two-year contract with the Scottish Football Association to coach the country's Under-21 side.

Distinguished career
The former West Germany player and member of the 1974 FIFA World Cup-winning squad was recommended for the post by Scotland coach and ex-international team-mate Berti Vogts. Bonhof, 50, succeeds Dundee United FC manager Alex Smith in the post after the Scot left the job in April to focus on his club duties.

Nurture potential
SFA chief executive David Taylor interviewed Bonhof in Glasgow last month and decided he was the man to nurture Scotland's stars of the future. Bonhof said: "There is a two-year offer in place and it is now just a case of signing the paperwork."

Right-hand man
Bonhof was Vogts' right-hand man when he led Germany to success at the 1996 UEFA European Championship and has spent the last two years coaching at Sporting Club of Kuwait. Vogts stated from day one in his job as Scotland coach that he wanted the U21 side to take on a more prominent role in the national game as he tries to build a platform for the future.

Wealth of experience
His close friend now takes up that challenge on a full-time basis and brings a wealth of experience to the Scotland camp. Bonhof won 53 caps during a distinguished international career and played alongside Vogts for VfL Borussia Mönchengladbach.

Training camp
Bonhof added: "The plan is to speak with all the clubs and put a camp together around 14 August to have a look at players. We might end up with as many as 40 players at the camp."