Derek McInnes wants to be Scotland boss- but not yet
The Dons boss says he's happy to stay put for now
Aberdeen boss Derek McInnes admits he is interested in becoming Scotland manager - just not yet.
Hampden chiefs are having to start their search for Gordon Strachan's replacement from scratch after failing to lure Northern Ireland boss Michael O'Neill.
McInnes has been quoted among the leading contenders by bookmakers following the impressive job he has carried out at Pittodrie.
But while the Dons boss - who has knocked back offers from Sunderland and Rangers in recent months - says he would one day like to take on the national team, he insists he is happy to stay put in the Granite City for now.
“You all know how happy I am at Aberdeen,” he said.
“There are certain jobs you would like to do in the future and Scotland would be one of those.
“But for now, whether I'm a candidate or not in certain people's thinking, the job in hand at Aberdeen is what is important.”
O'Neill's rejection of the Scottish Football Association has sparked fierce criticism of Hampden chief executive Stewart Regan's handling of the recruitment process.
Scotland have been without a manager since Strachan was axed back in mid-October and the SFA delegation will now travel to Lausanne for Wednesday's UEFA Nations League draw without a boss in place.
But McInnes does not believe the failure to persuade the former Hibernian and Dundee United winger to return to working in Scotland is the disaster it is being made out to be in some quarters.
“I don't think you're ever totally surprised by things in football,” he said. “I'm disappointed that it's been quite prolonged. You can see why the SFA were attracted to Michael.
“But I don't think it's the be all and end all. There's other good managers out there and I'm sure the SFA will be working hard to find one.
“I don't think they should be criticised for trying to get their man and not getting him.
“There's no doubting he would have been a good candidate for the job.”
Motherwell boss Stephen Robinson has previously worked with O'Neill and Northern Ireland and is glad to see him stick with his homeland.
“As a Northern Ireland fan I am absolutely delighted,” he said. “It was a massive opportunity to manage Scotland but he has done such a good job and he holds the key to the building at the Irish Football Association, he runs the place and in his mind he probably thinks there is unfinished business there.”
Scotland will learn who they will face in the inaugural Nations League contest on Wednesday.
The new tournament is designed to spice up international action and cut down on the number of meaningless friendlies. It will also offer a second chance at qualifying for Euro 2020.
The Scots have been seeded among the third tier of countries and will be drawn into groups of three or four, with home-and-away ties scheduled to take place during three international windows later this year.
The other teams Scotland could face are Hungary, Romania, Slovenia, Greece, Serbia, Albania, Norway, Montenegro, Israel, Bulgaria, Finland, Cyprus, Estonia and Lithuania.