Steve Clarke has vowed to defy the people who warned him that managing Scotland could kill his career.
Named successor to Alex McLeish on a three-year contract, the former Kilmarnock boss insists he is excited by the players at his disposal.
And the 55-year-old believes the Scots can still secure automatic qualification for the Euro 2020 finals without the need for a Nations League play-off.
Steve Clarke was unveiled as the new manager of the Scottish national team on Tuesday
Clarke wants Kilmarnock assistant manager Alex Dyer to fill the same role on a part-time basis with Scotland - and also plans to appoint a younger Scottish coach to help out.
Insisting he's not scared by the challenge ahead, the new man said: 'I have had many, many messages from lots of good people and hopefully I don't let them down.
'It is a big thing to do, it is a big step in my career, that's why I couldn't turn the job down.
'I spoke to quite a lot of people in football who were telling me: 'Don't go, it can be a career-killer'.
'Listen, I am happy to take it on. I am happy to have a go.' A succession of Scotland managers have been eaten up by the national team's failure to reach a major finals since 1998.
However, riding the crest of a wave after leading Kilmarnock to a third-place finish in the top flight for the first time since 1966 - and winning PFA Scotland and Football Writers' manager of the year awards - Clarke insists he's up for the challenge.
'It might frazzle me, I don't know. Nobody knows what the future holds.
'But I'm certainly not scared of the intensity and the scrutiny.
'I'm not scared that people might say it's a career-ender.
'I went to Kilmarnock and they were bottom of the league.
Clarke was appointed on Monday after guiding Kilmarnock to an historic third-place finish
'If they'd stayed bottom, that would have been a career-ender, too.
'I was happy to take on that challenge and I am happy to take on this one, too.
'Not only am I happy, I am honoured.
'And, if it frazzles me, I will go down fighting - I promise you.