We think we've got the right man, SFA close in on Burley

The Scottish Football Association board today ratified the interview panel's choice of preferred candidate.

Although the SFA have not named Burley, it is understood the Saints manager is their choice for the job.

Scroll down for more

The SFA are set to approach Southampton to discuss compensation, and anticipate Burley will accept the job after impressing at the interview stage.

Scottish Football Association president George Peat - who was on the interview panel - stopped short of naming the 51-year-old as he arrived for the board meeting at Hampden Park, but told Sky Sports News: "We think we've got the right man."

He added: "We've gone down the same route as we did with the appointments of Walter Smith and Alex McLeish. It's been difficult from the point of view there's been little to choose between the candidates we were discussing. But we think we've got the right man."

The SFA have been seeking a man with stature who can be a figurehead for the Scottish game in the same impressive way McLeish was during his 10-month spell in charge of the national team, and Smith before him.

The SFA do not expect to name their new boss today, however that could change depending on the speed of developments.

Lee Hoos, acting chief executive for Championship club Southampton, was today awaiting contact from the SFA.

He said: "We have not heard anything from them but if media reports are to be believed then we will be! We will make a further statement as soon as there is anything to report."

Motherwell manager Mark McGhee, who was one of the four shortlisted candidates for the post, conceded defeat last night in his bid to land the job.

McGhee told BBC Radio Scotland: "All I can say is congratulations to George. I think he will be a terrific Scotland manager and I will do all I can to help him.

"I remain very proud to have been considered and if George does not win the World Cup then it opens it up for me to be one who does!"

The SFA interview panel, including Peat and chief executive Gordon Smith, deliberated over the candidates, who also included Graeme Souness and Celtic first-team coach Tommy Burns, before deciding on their pick.

The new manager will be asked to lead Scotland to the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. Scotland have not qualified for a major tournament since reaching the 1998 World Cup.

Southampton did not stand in Burley's way when the SFA requested to interview the man who is most closely associated with Ipswich, the club he served in long spells both as player and manager.

Burley also had an impressive but short stint as Hearts boss in 2005, which ended due to irreconcilable differences between the manager and majority shareholder Vladimir Romanov.

Burley is expected to grasp the opportunity to lead his country.

He said at the weekend: "It is a great honour that Scotland asked to speak to me. There is a lot to consider. I am very happy at Southampton but if your country asks to speak to you then it is only right to do so."