SFA given permission to talk to Burley

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The SFA approached the Coca-Cola Championship club earlier this week, and chairman Leon Crouch has reluctantly agreed to allow their manager to hold talks.

Crouch told the club's official website: "Taking charge of your country is the greatest honour any manager could have and if George Burley wants to speak to them then we understand."

Motherwell revealed on Wednesday that their boss Mark McGhee had also been given the green light to speak to Scottish football's governing body. Graeme Souness and Tommy Burns are also understood to be on a four-man short-list.

Crouch stressed that he wants Burley, 51, to remain at St Mary's despite paving the way for him to succeed Alex McLeish.

And the Saints chief insists he would not have given the go-ahead for talks to take place had he been approached by another club.

"We would certainly not have given permission for him to speak to anyone else," he added.

"George is an experienced and valued manager and we want to keep him but we would not prevent him speaking to them."

Burley said: "It is a great honour to be considered by your country and it is only right that I listen to what they have to say.

"There is no obligation on either side and I must stress that I am very happy at Southampton. I am not looking to move on but after receiving this approach, I felt it would be right to speak with the SFA."