Smith has been tipped for the Rangers hotseat but there has been a suggestion he could carry on as Scotland boss until their Euro 2008 campaign ends - whether that be in the quali"ers or at next summer's "nals. But Hamish Husband, spokesman for the Association of Tartan Army Clubs (ATAC), fears the worst. He said: "I don't think it's possible for Walter to take on the Rangers job and the Scotland job."

"Any Tartan Army person I've spoken to would be sad to lose Walter Smith because of the excellent job he's done, " Husband added. "It's a shame that club football will always do this to us. Unfortunately I think the club manager's job is a better job."