Anybody who is thinking of applying for the Scotland job in the next eight or nine years should go get themselves checked out by about 15 psychiatrists.

When you're 50 you start thinking about things you haven't thought about before. I used to think getting old was about vanity - but actually it's about losing people you love. Getting wrinkles is trivial.

Ah, the ability to think independently

[Earlier, he had spoken excitedly about the injection of cash he is expecting for next season and of his] genuine belief that there will be money available to get what I would call really decent players into the football club. ... Martin O'Neill has given his clearest hint yet...

It's been pretty extraordinary. Despite the press conference on Wednesday it's taken me a bit of time to get over the defeat [at Fir Park]. It was hurting. Someone just asked me did I have any regrets and my only one would be that, due to circumstances, I don't have a chance now to go and try and regain the championship for next season. It's gone. There's a finality to it.

I think the club have learned one or two wee lessons from this,