Scots reject Birmingham's £750,000 offer for McLeish to take over

But the Scottish FA three times refused to allow them to speak to him. Now McLeish, who flew home from the World Cup draw in South Africa on Monday night along with SFA chief executive Gordon Smith and president George Peat, must decide whether to walk out if he wants to pursue his ambition of managing in the Premier League.

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The former Rangers boss has helped restore Scotland's reputation through a thrilling but ultimately unsuccessful Euro 2008 qualification campaign. According to sources close to McLeish, he would like the chance to talk to Birmingham co-owner David Sullivan and the board.

He could resign and become a free agent but any club then taking him on might still be liable for compensation if the conditions of his employment are broken.

There is additional uncertainty at St Andrew's over the proposed £50million takeover by Carson Yeung. The acquisition has already taken five months and, with further deadlines to be met, time is running out for the Hong Kong businessman to complete the deal.

At the same time, Birmingham have lost six of their last seven games and lie 16th, only one point above the relegation zone.

Yeung has little more than three weeks to meet the deadline set by Birmingham's board and the global credit crunch may have had an effect on his ability to raise sufficient funds.

McLeish fears that he could be appointed, only for Yeung to come in and install his own man. Such turmoil would almost certainly lead to the club's relegation and the manager could then find himself out of a job, having turned his back on Scotland.

McLeish was pressed before he boarded the flight home but would say only: 'I'm just here on Scottish business.'

One man who won't be taking the post at St Andrew's is caretaker manager Eric Black, despite having the support of influential members of the club's board.

However, with morale among supporters at a low ebb after Steve Bruce's defection to Wigan, Black will follow his former boss to the JJB Stadium, although he will remain in charge for this Sunday's trip to Tottenham if McLeish turns down the job and no alternative can be found.