Michael O’Neill is very interested in the Scotland job: that can be taken as fact. Having let Sunderland know he wasn’t interested in going there — Chris Coleman has picked up that particular poisoned chalice — the path would seem clear for the Scottish Football Association to home in on their target. Compensation would be required but, according to Irish Football Association sources, it is nothing like the £750,000 that we have seen quoted. So all of this must be pleasing for Stewart Regan and co.
Is O’Neill the right man for Scotland? There are a few worries and reservations to be expressed but, in the main, the answer to that question is surely a resounding “yes”. O’Neill has been a phenomenal Northern Ireland manager,