Walter Smith has revealed one of the biggest regrets of his career – not getting to work with the legendary Jock Stein.
Stein had lined Smith up to work in the Scotland backroom staff alongside him and Sir Alex Ferguson at the 1986 World Cup Finals in Mexico.
But the iconic former Celtic boss died of a heart attack in Cardiff in 1985 as Scotland drew 1-1 with Wales to set up a play-off against Australia which was won over two legs.
Speaking as part of a television documentary which will be aired tonight, Smith has talked of his regret that he never got the opportunity he would have relished.
Smith said: "Mr Stein asked me if I would help Alex (Ferguson) if we got to the World Cup in Mexico.
"He had decided in his previous World Cup that whoever was helping him, his assistant needed another coach as well, so he asked me if I would go with Alex and help him.
"To be asked to do something like that by Mr Stein was tremendous.
"I had no hesitation in taking up the offer. Unfortunately, it didn't quite work out the way that everyone would have wanted, and one of my big regrets in football is that I didn't get to spend a bit of time with Mr Stein over that World Cup period."
lWalter Smith: The Football Years, STV tonight, 8pm
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