ALEX McLEISH believes fate played its part in him becoming Scotland manager for the second time after first-choice candidate Michael O’Neill rejected an approach from the Scottish Football Association.

The 59-year-old, who had a 10-game stint in charge of the national team in 2007, met the media at Hampden Park today after his appointment was confirmed.

The SFA had originally approached O’Neill to become Gordon Strachan’s successor but he decided to stay as boss of Northern Ireland, with McLeish happy to get another chance.