Walter Smith believes Scotland would have been in a much stronger position had he led them at the start of the World Cup qualifying campaign.
The nation has made big strides under Smith - they are currently three points behind second-placed Norway in Group 5 - after a disappointing start under Berti Vogts.
The former
Everton and Rangers boss admits he would have loved to have been in charge when the campaign got underway.
"Especially as we had two home games to start with," admitted Smith. "I am a bit sorry not to have been involved there.
"Even if we had won one of them we would be looking good but had we won two we would have had that extra impetus to start with. I would have preferred to have started this section."
Smith is convinced Scotland are moving in the right direction but admits they need to conjure up an "exceptional performance" to defeat Italy.
Vogts' successor believes they must beat the world footballing giants at Hampden Park on September 3 to have any chance of qualifying for the World Cup finals.
Scotland secured four points from this week's games with Moldova and Belarus as they continue to grow in confidence but Smith admits the Italians are daunting opposition.
Smith said: "It is always very difficult because they are one of the best footballing countries in the world.
"They are one of the great major footballing nations and it is another big test.
"I thought we acquitted ourselves well in the away match (2-0 defeat) but obviously we have a different problem in trying to threaten the goal more.
"We restricted Italy to set-pieces in the game over there but it will have to be an exceptional performance to win that, although we are in better spirits to get it than we've been for some time."
Smith, meanwhile, has jumped to the defence of under-fire Scotland Under-21 manager Rainer Bonhof after another defeat.
He said: "There's been a problem because one or two have come in to take places in the top team and he has also lost the likes of Craig Beattie and Shaun Maloney with injury.
"The team is going to suffer and I am sure when they have a lot of players available they will achieve decent results.
"They have been in unusual circumstances in that the Under-21s have gone to the full national side.
"We want to give players experience of international football so we can see if they can repeat their club form when they switch to a different level."
