Scotland need someone to instil character in the national team, according to 38-times capped striker Maurice Johnston.

Johnston was unimpressed with the passion shown as Scotland slumped to a 3-0 defeat by Wales in Cardiff on Saturday.

The former Celtic and Rangers player was at Hampden on Monday visiting Scottish football's Hall of Fame following his induction on Sunday night.

While he spoke to the media, Scottish Football Association chief executive Gordon Smith and president George Peat were upstairs preparing for the board meeting which looks likely to seal Burley's fate this week.

And Johnston feels the SFA should employ someone who can shake up the team like Graeme Souness, if the Scotland manager is removed from his post.

"I think the team needs a little bit of character," said Johnston, now director of football at Major League Soccer side Toronto.

"It needs to be a little bit more creative. I think we need to look at the ground level in terms of what we're doing with young kids coming through.

"There wasn't a lack of kids coming through in the 70s, 80s and 90s. So that needs to get stronger.

"The coach can only do so much, you can't just blame George Burley.

"You need to look at the players. You saw a lack of passion on Saturday in Cardiff."

Souness shook Scottish football to its core when he signed Johnston for Rangers in 1989 after the former Celtic striker had been paraded by his old club.

And Johnston feels someone with a similarly strong mentality is needed to lift Scotland after Burley's World Cup failure extended the country's exile from a major championships to at least 14 years.

"If you're looking for a new coach, (Everton boss) Davie Moyes fits the bill," Johnston said. "He's done a hell of a job.

"Owen Coyle is a little bit too young for the job. If Graeme Souness is out there, 100 per cent.

"I know he said he wouldn't take it but he's someone that would come in and shake the trees.

"Is there a lot of people who want to take the job? There probably won't be at the moment because we're at rock bottom.

"I think the guy that comes in needs time. Whether you get that time as Scotland manager, will be seen."

Johnston scored doubles in famous victories over Spain and France, which helped Scotland qualify for World Cup finals in 1986 and 1990.

Despite the current gloom surrounding the national team, Johnston is sure those glory days will return.

"Scotland will always have its ups and downs," said Johnston, who hit 14 goals for his country.

"We will always go through periods of bad games and good games.

"We will always win some big games against the likes of France and Spain, like the one we just won in Paris when big Alex (McLeish) was the manager and (James) McFadden scored.

"There is a sense of frustration now, it happens all the time. The Scottish game is just going through a little transitional period.

"It will always pick itself up. Scottish football will always survive."

While Scottish football endured another difficult weekend, Johnston was enjoying one of his most memorable occasions.

The 46-year-old was making a rare return to Scotland to accept his place in the Hall of Fame alongside Paul Lambert, Steve Archibald, Bertie Auld, Alan Gilzean, Willie Maley, Dave Meiklejohn and Jimmy Delaney.

"I'm absolutely thrilled, it's a great honour," he said. "I started off at Partick Thistle and moved all the way up to the national team and played in the World Cup.

"To be inducted in the Hall of Fame is the pinnacle of my career."