Made Men

But it is not yet time to retreat under a blanket with a litre of whisky and the entire Arab Strap back catalogue. There are some Scots still very much in vogue south of the border. Paul Lambert's stock has never been higher, with Aston Villa reportedly keen to tempt him away from Norwich City; Davie Moyes continues to plug away diligently at Everton, while Derek McInnes, Malky Mackay, Paul Sturrock and Dougie Freedman have all attracted plaudits for the jobs they are undertaking further down the leagues.

McInnes kept Bristol City in the Npower Championship against all odds, a feat shared by Darren Ferguson at Peterborough. Mackay took Cardiff City to the Carling Cup final and the play-offs, while Sturrock came within a whisker of promotion with Southend United. Freedman's first full season at Crystal Palace included an unforgettable cup win at Old Trafford. Other Scots making positive strides include Paul Dickov at Oldham Athletic, Neale Cooper at Hartlepool United, Steve Evans at Rotherham United after a successful season with Crawley Town, where he was succeeded, temporarily, by Craig Brewster, and Mark McGhee at Bristol Rovers.

The Scots have always shaped English football and while they may no longer fill the playing squads of the top teams, dugouts and dressing rooms continue to resound to the guttural bark of a Scottish accent. It has been that way since the days of Bill Shankly and Sir Matt Busby, and Howard Wilkinson, the legendary former Leeds United manager now chairman of the League Managers Association in England, doesn't envisage that changing in the foreseeable future.

"Over the years there has been a succession of very successful Scottish managers in England, many from the Glasgow area," he told Herald Sport. "One can only assume that the culture up there introduces people who are very passionate, very obsessed and very committed to a life in football. Those strong emotions seem to be strongly concentrated in those who choose to go into management and that stays with them the rest of their lives."

It has become tougher to reach the top. Premier League clubs can afford to entice the managerial elite from across the globe and often look overseas, rather than browsing the lower leagues for up-and-coming talent. It takes perseverance to make it.

"It's a lot harder for young managers these days," added Wilkinson. "There is intense competition, particularly in the Premier League, from foreign managers which probably means you have to wait longer for your turn. I was six years at Boston United before going to Notts County, which meant that, within seven or eight years of starting as a coach, I was in what was then Division One. Now it takes a lot longer. It's a test of your perseverance. First of all, it's about ensuring you survive long enough so you are in a position to take an opportunity when one arises. You have to hang in there.

"I know it's difficult when you're trying to move up the ranks and you see clubs taking in people from abroad. The young Scottish managers making their way will be aware of that. But if they're good enough they will get their chance eventually."

While it seems unlikely that Dalglish will return to the dugout after being fired by Liverpool, Wilkinson can see Coyle, McLeish and Kean returning to the top flight.

"These guys will come again," he added. "They've served their time, they've put in the work, and that's not forgotten. The history of people with their track record of managing in the Premier League says that at some point they will get back in. Increasingly, in the Premier League, anybody under 60 is considered young, so experience is a huge consideration for anyone appointing a manager. Anyone that has that will be seen as a valuable commodity."