After protracted negotiations to conclude his departure from Dundee United, Levein signed a four-and-a-half year deal - and not the two-and-a-half year contract the SFA had earlier indicated - to become national team manager.

Scotland have not qualified for a major tournament since the 1998 World Cup and Levein becomes the next manager to have a go after succeeding George Burley, who departed last month.

Levein, who cost the SFA a reported £250,000 in compensation, was paraded at Hampden after lawyers tied up the loose ends and immediately talked about bringing some "pride and passion" back to the country.

"I think there is a malaise around the game just now," he said. "I think we need to change some attitudes more than anything else.

"We need to be a bit more positive in what we are doing, have more pride and passion.

"I've been working hard for around 15 years in management and now I have the opportunity to make a significant difference, not just to the Scottish national team but to the way people feel about Scotland itself.

"I would like to improve results at international level, at Under-21s - where they have been doing well - at Under-17 level, at Victory Shield level.

"I want to get a real sense of achievement at those younger age groups as well as at full international level, to try and raise the profile and getting everyone positive again."

With the 2012 European Championships in mind, Levein, who will look to use Dundee United caretaker boss Peter Houston as his assistant on a game-by-game basis, opened the door to the return of Barry Ferguson, Allan McGregor and Kris Boyd.

The Birmingham player was banned alongside his then Rangers team-mate McGregor during Burley's tenure for gesturing at photographers as he sat on the bench during his country's World Cup qualifier against Iceland, after being dropped following his part in the infamous 'Boozegate' incident days earlier.

In October 2008, Boyd revealed he would refuse to play for Burley after being left on the bench for a goalless World Cup qualifier against Norway at Hampden.

Levein offered all three players a fresh start, saying: "My remit as manager is to try and qualify for the next tournament and I will not be ruling out any players.

"Whether those players want to come is a different matter.

"If Barry has said that (he would consider returning) then that is fantastic.

"Let's be honest, we are not a big nation, we need every top quality player, not just willing to come along, but when they do come along, willing to role their sleeves up and really give it a go.

"If there are people who don't want to be involved then so be it but I will be giving everyone an opportunity."

Lengthy negotiations this afternoon meant Levein was not paraded until after six o'clock but the former Hearts, Leicester and Raith Rovers boss insists the delay was no reflection of his desire to move into the Hampden hot seat.

"The decision to take the job came a while ago," he said. "Negotiations are a different thing.

"Once you get lawyers involved in anything it takes a little bit of time.

"But don't let the length of time today fool you, that is no indication of how much I wanted this job.

"From the minute I heard I was number one on the list, I wanted the job.

"Today was a little bit protracted, but so what?"

The former Scotland and Hearts defender added: "The last week or so had really flown by and here I am finding myself appointed as Scotland manager.

"It is difficult to express how proud I feel being a Scotsman and having followed the national team all my life.

"Now I have to do the best I can for my country and see if I can take Scotland into the 2012 Euros.

"I will come in and have a look at things and see if there is anything I can suggest to move things forward."

Levein revealed the difficulty he faced in leaving United.

He said: I've spent the last three years in a wonderful job, it has been great for me.

"The supporters took to me instantly, the players gave me everything they had and everybody there was fantastic for me.

"But how can you turn this job down?"