GORDON Strachan’s enthusiasm for managing Scotland has been called into question by many since he agreed to remain in charge for the Russia 2018 qualifying campaign last year.

The national coach’s public utterances and general demeanour have not, it has been widely suggested, been of a man who is entirely comfortable with what he had committed himself to.

But if that has indeed been the case then he may not have much longer to rue his decision. He could be put out of his misery in the coming days. Unless, of course, he opts to resign himself first.

Read more: Slovakia 3 Scotland 0: World Cup chances all but over as Scotland slump to heavy lossThe Herald: 31/08/16 . SCOTLAND TRAINING . MAR HALL - BISHOPTON . Scotland manager Gordon Strachan.

Next up for Scotland are England at Wembley next month and, after taking just one point from their games against Lithuania at home and Slovakia away, Strachan may not fancy prolonging the agony.

The 59-year-old stepped down of his own volition following disappointing spells at Celtic and Middlesbrough and it would be little surprise if, with hopes of reaching the next World Cup now in tatters, he took the same decision now.

There are still seven games to go in this campaign and 21 points up for grabs. But not even the most optimistic Scotland supporter is holding out any hope of the national team salvaging the situation given the poor standard of much of their play at Hampden on Saturday and Trnava last night.

Read more: Slovakia 3 Scotland 0: World Cup chances all but over as Scotland slump to heavy loss

The 3-0 loss last night may have come against the second seeds in their section and a team which featured in Euro 2016 in the summer - but they had lost their opening two games to England at home and Slovenia away and looked mediocre at best. It was only their third win this year.

It was also the heaviest loss which Scotland have suffered since a 4-0 reverse to Norway seven years ago. It was nowhere near good enough and the man in charge must ultimately pay the price.

Strachan’s close involvement with Brian McClair, the erstwhile SFA Performance Director, in mapping out a new way ahead for the game in this country in the past year or so should certainly be applauded.

Having been involved in the game in this country in a variety of different guises - player, manager, media pundit - for four decades his input has been interesting and invaluable.

But has helping his former Manchester United and Scotland team mate driven home to him just what a dire state the sport in his country is currently in and underlined how few players of international quality are coming through?

Strachan has unearthed a few gems in his three and a half years at the helm. Ikechi Anya and Matt Ritchie have both done well for their adopted homeland. Elsewhere, he has put his faith in Oliver Burke, John McGinn, Callum Paterson, Andy Robertson and Kieran Tierney despite their tender years. Yet, there are few more, in central defence especially, coming through behind them.

Given that making it through to the next World Cup will be even more difficult than getting to the European Championship was – only one team from Group F will qualify automatically and the second placed side may not make the play-offs – is it any wonder that Strachan was despondent?

Scotland fans, though, have also become increasingly despairing of him. His reluctance to pick Leigh Griffiths up front despite the striker’s form for Celtic both domestically and in Europe has irked many as has his refusal to hand call-ups to both Ross McCormack and Jordan Rhodes.

An obstinate and occasionally contrary character, Strachan has turned to Chris Martin, the Derby County front man who moved to Fulham on loan this season, increasingly of late. Few, if any, have been able to see why. Martin is a decent performer in the English Championship, but at international level he has repeatedly failed to shine.

Griffiths looked capable of netting when he came off the bench at the weekend and it had been widely anticipated that he would start in the Anton Malatinskeho Stadium last night. True to form, Strachan opted for Steven Fletcher.

The foul on Fletcher that went unpunished by the referee shortly before the first Slovakia goal rightly angered Strachan who vented his spleen at the unfortunate fourth official on the sidelines. But that incident can in no way excuse the dire defending that led to Scotland falling behind.

Strachan changed his system from his usual 4-2-3-1 set-up last night. The 4-5-1 line-up he opted for certainly helped his charges to compete well for long periods and carve out chances in the final third.

If only Scotland had the luxury of a prolific marksman lurking to put them away. He, unfortunately, was sitting on the bench.

Read more: Slovakia 3 Scotland 0: World Cup chances all but over as Scotland slump to heavy loss

Even his most vociferous critic would agree that, to begin with at least, Strachan was good for Scotland. He inherited a squad that was low on confidence and performing poorly. The new man at the helm generated a good team spirit, commanded the respect of his players, developed a system that suited them and enjoyed some memorable results.

Back-to-back wins over Croatia at the tail end of an unsuccessful attempt to reach the World Cup in Brazil in 2014 gave longsuffering Scotland hope that things were about to change for the better as did decent displays against Germany and Poland away and a win over the Republic of Ireland early on in the Euro 2016 qualifying campaign.

It has been all downhill since then. The draw to Ireland in Dublin and defeat to Georgia in Tblisi ultimately ended their hopes of going through. This draw to Lithuania and defeat to Slovakia seem certain to bring the curtain down on Gordon Strachan’s time in charge.