MCCOIST ON SAFC & SCOTLAND

Former Sunderland and Rangers striker turned pundit Ally McCoist has shared his thoughts on Sunderland's season back in the Premier League, the Scottish Premiership title race and how he thinks his nation will fare in the 2026 World Cup. McCoist spoke to us via football betting site talkSPORT Bet.

What do Sunderland need to do to remain an established Premier League side next season?

I’m not sure I would call them an established Premier League team yet. I think that's Sunderland's target. I think their target is to become an established Premier League team. I think they've had a fantastic season and I've been thrilled, I've been absolutely delighted with what we've seen here. But the next step for Sunderland, for me, is to establish themselves like Bournemouth, Brentford and how Brighton have done and then continue their progress.

European qualification?

I know it sounds crazy as they’re my old club, but I’m not sure I wanted them to get European football this year. I just think the toll on them next year with games, European games, Thursdays and that kind of stuff, and Sundays, might have been too much for them unless they dramatically strengthen their squad again. And I'm not sure they're ready to do that. I think they'll need to strengthen again.

I think the next step should be, as I say, another two or three years. Keep doing well, keep staying in the league, keep being comfortable, keep progressing, and then see where it takes you.

Is the momentum with Celtic after their last-minute winner?

I'm not so sure to tell you the truth. I think both Celtic and Hearts have good momentum after some good results. I think obviously Hearts were harshly done by themselves in the last couple of minutes against Motherwell at Fir Park when they should have been given a penalty. I think certainly Celtic have got a certain degree of momentum, yes. But I wouldn't say that all the momentum's with them, to be honest with you. I think it's pretty much as we see it, everything to play for.

Could Celtic being at home make all the difference?

Make no mistake about it, it's an advantage. But of course, there's no doubt, the fact that Hearts have already beat Celtic twice, beat Rangers three times and drawn once would indicate they've got absolutely nothing to be scared of.

You would rather be the team at home, that goes without saying. But the fact of the matter is, Hearts have got to travel to Celtic Park, they've done it before, and Derek McInnes will be reminding his players that that's the case. So, yes, you would rather be playing the game at home, of course you would, but it's not the be all and end all.

Opinion on the VAR call?

I'm really not sure it has [divided opinion] because the vast majority of people that I speak to think it was an absolutely shocking decision. I think I’ll take it a step further - I think the use of VAR has embarrassed Scottish football. You know, for the guys in control to think that is a clear and obvious error is absolutely remarkable. Remarkable. And then, for the referee who has got previous with Celtic supporters, let's not forget that, he's got previous Celtic supporters and not in a good way, goes over and makes the decision after 15 seconds or so, it's just a car crash really. It's an absolute car crash.

When you get people down south looking at it and using the words 'cheating', it's such a shame because I don't mind telling you, it probably has tarnished the Scottish Premiership title ever so slightly in my opinion because no matter what happens at the weekend we'll be talking about this decision I think for a long long time. Very sad.

What do Scotland need to have before they go to the World Cup?

Scotland need a little bit more belief and a little bit more aggression not just on the pitch but just mentally as well because I felt the European Championship games were poor. I just want the boys to go to the World Cup and believe that they deserve to be there and not forget the reasons how they got there and why they got there and I think if they do that they'll be absolutely fine. I really, really do. I think they'll be fine if they go and show a level of commitment and a level of belief in themselves and each other. I think they'll be great. I actually don't think to a certain degree they did that in the Euros in Germany. And as well as it did get in there, the performances were far from ideal. So a bit more belief and they'll be absolutely fine. I've no doubt about that.

What would Steve Clarke need to do at the World Cup to get a knighthood?

A semi-final and I'll give him a knighthood myself! Never mind His Royal Highness or the King. He gets us to a semi-final, I'll go over to the sixth floor at Hampden and I'll do it. In terms of his future, you never know with Steve because, with the greatest respect, his demeanour, very, very rarely changes. The only man that knows is Steve. He's the only man that knows what's going on inside that head of his. He'll know and he'll find the right time for him to give up internationally. Has he got unfinished business in terms of club management? I would not be ruling that out.

But the one thing that is not off-limits for debate is taking us from a team that was struggling to get to major championships. He's got us to two Euros and the World Cup. So that'll do for me. He's one of the hardest to read because, as I say, his demeanour doesn't change, nor would we want it to change. It changed a little bit on Tuesday night. I've never seen him as happy to be there, which was brilliant. But listen, the one thing he has done in my opinion is earned the right to make his own mind up.