Barry Ferguson believes Steve Clarke must be given time to turn around Scotland 's miserable fortunes.
The national team boss watched his side slip to a damaging Euro 2020 qualifying defeat to Russia on Friday despite having taken the lead.
Qualification through the traditional route now looks out of reach but Scotland have the lifeline of a Nations League play off awaiting in March.
Former Scotland and Rangers skipper Ferguson insists the talent is there and believes Clarke will finally end two decades spent in the international wilderness.
"I think we have got a lot of talented players, I really do," Ferguson told the BBC .
"I honestly believe we have the right manager in place now. I think he's a very good manager, you just need to see what he did at Kilmarnock.
"It's just going to take a bit of time and I hope the fans get behind the manager and the players because I do believe in time we will get to that major championships, which we've been missing for a long time.
"I don't think we'll do it in the groups now but we've got the game in March. This is the best chance we've got."
Defeat leaves Scotland six points behind the second-placed Russians in Group I, with a visit from leaders and World Cup semi-finalists Belgium to come on Monday.
