McLeish favourite for Scotland job

Alex McLeish is expected to put his club football ambitions on hold by agreeing to manage Scotland.

The former Aberdeen, Motherwell and Rangers manager was initially reluctant to consider the national team role but accepted the invitation to be interviewed.

He is now thought to be the Scottish Football Association's (SFA) preferred choice and could be presented before the end of the week - with reports claiming he may be appointed this afternoon.

Former Scotland international Richard Gough believes McLeish would be taking a calculated gamble by accepting the job, with Scotland ahead of France and Italy at the top of their Euro 2008 qualifying group.

Gough, 44, told the Daily Express: "There's a bit of credibility back and Scotland have been climbing up the FIFA rankings.

"But Alex is now faced with a mighty hard job in trying to qualify for the 2008 European Championships. It may have come a bit early for him, although he did seem to be a very popular candidate."

McLeish, who has been reportedly been offered the job but not yet accepted it, had hoped to resume his career with another club.

He had one eye set on following fellow Scots Alex Ferguson and David Moyes to the Premiership, but having been out of work since leaving Rangers last summer the Scotland job appears his best chance of a high-profile post.

Gough said: "I did hear Alex say he fancied having a go with an English club. But there's a problem with his profile in England, where he hasn't played and where he has no track record as a manager."

McLeish was believed to be the SFA's number one target ever since Walter Smith handed in his resignation to chief executive David Taylor earlier this month.

A fortnight on and he remains the only man to admit he has been interviewed for the role, although Gary McAllister is understood to have also been a contender.

Rangers assistant manager Ally McCoist believes the SFA cannot lose regardless of whether McLeish or McAllister takes the top job.

McCoist, who was strikers' coach with Scotland under Smith before he followed the former Everton boss to Rangers, claimed the future of the national side would be safe under McLeish or McAllister.

McCoist told Sky Sports News: "I would have absolutely no worries about Alex taking the Scotland job, I think he could carry on from where Walter left off.

"If Gary got it, equally, I would have no problems. He was a fantastic player, he is a great coach and is very likeable.

"I speak to Gary on a regular basis and I think he just wants to get back involved in football.

"So it's not all doom and gloom, there's a couple of great coaches and I think either of them would be great for the job."