AS ANYONE who saw him play for Celtic or Scotland will testify, Roy Aitken was never the type to pull out of a challenge.

Unflinching and uncompromising, Aitken squared up to opponents head on both at home and abroad during 14 trophy-laden years at Parkhead.

The Bear also encapsulated the fighting spirit of the national team he represented with distinction on no fewer than 57 occasions.

Roy's wholehearted approach prevails and will serve him well in the months ahead as part of Alex McLeish's new Scotland coaching team.

For it will be a huge achievement to maintain the country's position at the top of Group B, ahead of Italy and France and Ukraine, and qualify for Euro 2008.

Yet, the 48-year-old, who will be in the dug-out as Scotland play Georgia at Hampden on Saturday, has faced up to more daunting prospects of late.

A health scare last year drove home to Aitken that football is not, as the great Billy Shankly once remarked, more important than life and death.

A routine check-up by his doctor revealed a malignant cancerous tumour in his bowel and Roy had to undergo surgery to have it removed.

He recalled: "I felt perfectly well and had no symptoms of anything. It was my wife who made me go for a check-up. That revealed the tumour. I know I have been very, very fortunate. If I had left it any longer then I know it could well have been far more serious than it was.

"I'm a fairly upbeat character. I wake up every morning with a spring in my step. But I think that sort of experience does put life into perspective a bit.

"One thing it did highlight to me is that people, particularly at my stage of life, should make sure they get regular health check-ups."

Having confronted by his own mortality, Roy has been keen to turn his attentions to ensuring the continued wellbeing of the national team.

One of the first calls Alex McLeish made when he succeeded Walter Smith as Scotland boss at the end of January was to his old Scotland team-mate.

Aitken said: "It came right out of the blue. Alex came on the phone, made me the offer and it didn't take me too long to accept. I am proud to be involved. AITKEN FACTFILE 1958: Born in Irvine, Nov 24.

1975: Signs professional forms for Celtic after playing for Celtic Boys Club.

1977: Helps Celtic to title and Scottish Cup double.

1979: Gains second league champions winners' medal.

1980- 89: Establishes himself at the heart of the Celtic team. Part of six Premier Division title-winning sides, the last in 1988, and six Scottish Cup victories, as well as a League Cup win in 1983. Makes 483 league appearances, scoring 40 goals. Wins 57 full caps for Scotland, playing in the 1986 and 1990 World Cup finals.

1990: Signs for Newcastle 1991: Joins St Mirren.

1992: Signs for Aberdeen.

1995: Succeeds Willie Miller as Aberdeen boss and they escape relegation after play-off.

1995-6: Aberdeen third in league and win Coca-Cola Cup.

1996-97: Fired despite six-place finish.

2003-2005: Joins David O'Leary at Leeds and pair eventually move to Aston Villa.

2006 Leaves Villa; 2007 Joins Scotland backroom team.

"Football is a huge part of my life and I enjoy the challenge of trying to be successful. If you don't, then you will never play or coach at the top level in club or in international football."

Does he even relish the prospect of playing World Cup winners Italy in their own back yard, at the Stadio San Nicola in Bari next Wednesday?

"Those are the best games!" he exclaimed. "Competing against the best teams in the world is exciting for me."

Still, Aitken, who has spent spells coaching at Aberdeen, in Dubai and at Leeds United and Aston Villa since hanging up his boots, understands as well as anyone the demands McLeish will be under.

Roy captained his country 26 times, including in the World Cup Finals in Italy in 1990, and is well aware that qualifying for major finals is expected.

He said: "I know expectations are high for the national team just now. But they always have been.

"There is a feelgood factor surrounding Scotland following the upturn in fortunes we enjoyed with Walter Smith as manager.

"We are in a good position in the group at this stage. I am sure Alex will not want to change things too much.

"But I think it is important everyone retains a sense of realism.

"We know it will be extremely difficult to qualify for the finals in a group that contains Italy, the World Cup winners, France, the beaten finalists, and Ukraine. They are top teams.

"Georgia, who we play at Hampden this Saturday, are certainly nobody's mugs either. This really is a tough, tough group."

Roy feels Scotland fans, who have snapped up every ticket for Georgia despite increased ticket prices, have a part to play in booking a place at the finals.

He continued: "It hasn't been the greatest spell for Scotland in recent years.

"A good teamwork ethic has got us through. We need everyone playing to the top of their form and the fans right behind us.

"Our home games will dictate how well we do. With the Tartan Army in full voice, Hampden can be intimidating for visiting teams. To qualify would be an unbelievable achievement." I've got the tartan talent checked out

EVER since he was appointed to the Scotland backroom team in January, Roy Aitken has been looking forward to the Euro 2008 qualifiers against Georgia and Italy.

Not, though, that the former Leeds United and Aston Villa assistant manager has been sitting idly twiddling his thumbs since joining Alex McLeish's coaching staff.

Far from it. Still based in Birmingham, Aitken has been keeping tabs on the progress of English-based national squad members for Big Eck.

Roy revealed: "I have attended something like 20 games in England in the past five weeks to assess the players available for selection by Scotland.

"I have pretty much seen them all. From Christian Dailly and Gary Naismith in the Premiership to all the boys who play in the Championship.

"I monitor their form and fitness and report back to Alex. I also speak to managers in England on a regular basis about how our players are progressing.

"For instance, I spoke to Mick McCarthy recently about Jackie McNamara, who is back playing at left-back for Wolves and doing very well.

"Alex himself also speaks to managers down south about his players. Basically, we are trying to leave no stone unturned in our preparations."

Aitken added: "Of course, the best part about football, after actually playing, is in the hands-on coaching of the players.

"Both myself and Andy Watson will be there to help Alex with coaching sessions and for him to bounce ideas off.

"I am planning to move back to North Yorkshire, where I stayed when I was with Leeds, and will continue to monitor players in England for Alex." England win was proudest moment

ROY AITKEN'S Scotland career got up and running when he made his debut for Scotland aged just 20 against Peru in a friendly in 1979.

The Celtic player replaced Davie Cooper in the second-half as Jock Stein's team ground out a 1-1 draw with the South Americans at Hampden.

It was the start of a glittering career that would see him lead his country to victories over England and France and compete in two World Cup Finals. Roy recalled: "I had been playing for Celtic for three or four years and had been a member of the Scotland squad for a few years by then.

"So I was used to playing with the likes of Kenny Dalglish, Danny McGrain and Bobby Lennox. I really enjoyed it. It was great experience to play for your country."

Aitken added: "I have many happy memories of playing for Scotland. I was certainly always honoured to do so.

"The game that really sticks out in my memory was the Rous Cup victory over England in 1985 when we won 1-0 at Hampden and I was the captain.

"I was skipper in the World Cup in Italy in 1990, too. That was a great experience.

"We bounced back from a devastating 1-0 defeat to Costa Rica with a 2-1 win over Sweden and were minutes away from going through against Brazil. We were unlucky."