Smith warns of Scotland 'frustration'

Walter Smith has warned Craig Levein of the frustration of being Scotland boss - but insisted the intensity of international weeks more than makes up for it.

Dundee United manager Levein will meet the Scottish Football Association to discuss the possibility of succeeding George Burley in the national team hotseat. Levein, 45, said on Thursday he "100%" wants to take charge of his country but has to be convinced now is the right time for him to do so.

Smith was Scotland manager for just over two years before returning to Rangers in January 2007 and said: "It's a bit of a frustration, I don't think there's any doubt about that."

He added: "You turn up on the Monday morning and you've got no staff, you've got no players, after having a fortnight of involvement. But it's only a little bit of frustration, it's not a major thing.

"If things are going okay, you don't think about it too much. It's when things aren't going too well and you wish you had a situation where you could get back in and get started on a more day-to-day basis."

Smith, who has repeatedly ruled out a return to the role he quit almost three years ago, added: "It's different from what you've been used to, that's the thing.

"You're involved seven days a week. Then you find yourself in a circumstance where that's not the case.

"The intensity you work under for a fortnight more than makes up for a lot of the other things that are a downside."