GORDON Strachan should stay on as Scotland manager, whether the national team qualifies for the World Cup or not.

That was the settled opinion yesterday of Barry Bannan, the Sheffield Wednesday midfielder, and Liverpool full back Andy Robertson, two men who could be in line for a key role as Scotland chase the wins against Slovakia and Slovenia which would almost certainly see them book a play-off place in the race to reach Russia next summer.

Bannan hasn’t started any match for his country since the 3-0 defeat to Slovakia 12 months ago, but he is in the mix to replace the likes of injured duo Scott Brown and Stuart Armstrong, after Strachan checked up on his form against Birmingham last midweek.

Strachan’s long-term prospects have been the source of some intrigue ahead of the two matches which could define his future, but both Bannan and Robertson – who is likely to reprise his left back role, with Kieran Tierney on the right – feel he has done enough to earn a contract extension already.

Asked if he had done enough to stay on, Bannan said: “Definitely – I can’t speak highly enough of the manager. I think if you ask anyone in the squad, he’s a brilliant coach, he’s very hands-on on the training pitch.

“If you look at it, he’s improved us,” Bannan added.

“We’ve been unlucky in games we’ve lost, like England away where we started off well and had a few chances, but we’ve improved as a squad under him.”

“I love working under the manager, with the enthusiasm he brings through the week,” agreed Robertson. “He can’t wait to see us all because it means he gets back on the training ground as well.”

Midfielder James Morrison, meanwhile, admits the Scotland players have an added incentive this week – extending the international career of absent captain Brown.

It is unclear if the 32-year-old, who came out of international retirement before the England game at Wembley in November last year, will continue to make himself available once this campaign is over.

“Broony is a big part of this squad,” said Morrison. “He’s a big character ... he’s a good leader. It would be nice to get into a position that when he comes back we’ve still got something to play for.”