SFA approach Burns, McGhee and Burley

The SFA have asked Celtic, Motherwell and Southampton for permission to speak to Tommy Burns, Mark McGhee and George Burley respectively.

The SFA have yet to receive a response from the clubs whose managers are on the shortlist along with Graeme Souness and Billy Davies, who are currently unemployed.

Celtic youth coach Burns, who was assistant to Berti Vogts during the German's ill-fated spell as Scotland boss, and Motherwell manager McGhee have emerged as favourites for the post.

Southampton boss Burley, something of a dark horse in the race, was reluctant to discuss the situation.

He said: "You would have to contact the club. It's all speculation at the moment."

But, speaking in December, the former Hearts boss said: "About 500 people have been linked with the job.

"If you have a Scottish accent, you've got a chance. But any opportunity to manage the national team is something I'd be interested in."

The SFA's search for the successor to McLeish, who moved to Birmingham in November, looks to be in its final stages.

SFA chief executive Gordon Smith disclosed at the weekend that: "We have narrowed the shortlist down to five candidates in order to move the process forward."

Despite Motherwell owner John Boyle saying he was unaware of any approach from the SFA - "I don't know anything about it," he said previously - McGhee should get his chance to impress at an interview.

The 50-year-old earned widespread praise for the dignified way he helped everyone at the Fir Park club cope following the death of captain Phil O'Donnell from heart failure while playing against Dundee United just over a fortnight ago.

However, the tragedy has left him in an awkward position.

Last week the former Wolves and Leicester manager promised the Fir Park club he would not accept the vacant Scotland job without the support of everyone at Motherwell.

"If Scotland offered me the job, if they required me to leave now, I could only do it with the absolute consensus of everybody here," he said.

"I need everybody here to say 'this is important and we need you to go and do this'.

"If I felt I am needed longer here, at least to the end of the season, then I will be here. I won't be walking out in any way that leaves any resentment."

Commenting on the constant speculation linking him with the national team, McGhee said: "It has reached the stage where it is driving me mental. I know as much as you do.

"I went from odds-on favourite to whatever in line now."

One way or the other, it looks like McGhee will soon find out his fate.