Gordon Strachan believes the blame for Scotland's failures shouldn't be laid at Alex McLeish's door and has pinpointed the real problem with the national team.
McLeish's predecessor aired his views following the Scots' 2-0 win against the world's worst team in which the visitors failed to exhibit a clinical edge in front of goal.
Scotland were expected to rack up the numbers in San Marino on Sunday afternoon. Yet, of 21 attempts, only two hit the back of the net.
And Strachan believes a lack of forward talent is leading to the Tartan Army to call for change.
Alex McLeish quizzed on Scotland future after toiling to victory in San Marino
He said: "Top strikers know how to get into good positions and the know how to finish but at the moment we don’t have those strikers available so you have to pick from what you’ve got.
“That’s not down to the manager, that’s our country. We’ve not produced top quality strikers for years who know where to go, know where to finish.
“You can’t put that at Alex’s door. You’re getting a lad who was at Reading (Marc McNulty) who couldn’t get a game and goes to Hibs. Then the pressure is on him to help Scotland.
“We don’t have top players playing in Europe. So when you get to a certain point in the match when real quality is needed we might huff and puff.
“You need top strikers who can make their own goals at international level. A guy who can bring it down, shield it, turn away and put the ball int he back of the net. We don’t have that just now.”
And the former Celtic and Scotland boss empathised with current Hampden incumbent McLeish, pointing to the number of players who have been unavailable for selection since the start of his tenure 12 months ago.
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Strachan added: “It’s hard for international managers because it’s a question of who turns up. You can only pick a system that fits whoever turns up and who you’re playing."
“I don’t think I ever had a side that I’d pick three weeks previously all turn up and play, for all sorts of reasons. That’s the problem you have as an international manager these days and it’s getting harder."
