SFA plans McLeish talks

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The Scottish Football Association have acknowledged that McLeish could be lured away from his job by an attractive club offer. However SFA chief executive Gordon Smith has confirmed he is keen for McLeish to stay with Scotland beyond the end of his current deal.

Smith told The Herald: "We will hold informal talks with Alex in the next week or so with a view to seeing how he feels about extending his stay as Scotland manager for the next couple of campaigns."

He added: "There is no panic because his deal takes him to the end of qualifying for World Cup 2010, but we have to factor in the consequences of somebody coming in and trying to take Alex away, like the situation we had with Walter Smith."

When Smith left to join Rangers in January, the SFA brought McLeish in as his replacement, and the transition was seamless.

However another change could prove disruptive and Smith is hoping the SFA do not have to deal with losing another manager.

McLeish has been linked with various clubs in England, including Wigan, Birmingham and Bolton, who have since appointed Gary Megson.

Smith realises McLeish could go, and the SFA would be largely powerless to prevent him leaving if the 48-year-old does decide to take up a new challenge.

Smith said: "We hope that it does not happen, but we are also aware that it might."