Northern Ireland manager Michael O’Neill has turned down the chance to be the next Scotland boss.
The SFA identified the former Dundee United player as their number one choice soon after parting company with Gordon Strachan but the weeks turned into months before they were granted permission by their IFA counterparts to speak to him.
Stewart Regan hasn’t been able to persuade him to switch jobs, however.
O’Neill released a statement, saying: “Having given the matter a great deal of thought and consideration, I have decided not to take up the opportunity to become the next Scotland National team manager.
“It’s a huge honour to be offered the position however I do not feel that this is the right opportunity for me at this moment in my career.
“I would like to place on record my gratitude to the SFA for the very professional manner in which they conducted negotiations and I would also like to wish them every success for the future.”
The news will be welcomed by St Johnstone fans, as Tommy Wright would have been the strong favourite to take over from O’Neill at Windsor Park had he decided to quit Northern Ireland.
