O’Neill admits to ‘surprise’ at prolonged SFA pursuit
MICHAEL O’NEILL has expressed ‘surprise’ at how the SFA have gone about attempting to appoint him as Scotland manager. The Northern Ireland boss is the preferred choice of SFA chief executive Stewart Regan to replace Gordon Strachan, with an official approach made to the Irish FA more than four weeks ago. O’Neill has not ruled out taking the job but his comments will bring further scrutiny on the methods deployed by the Hampden hierarchy, who
have already been
criticised by Scotland captain Scott Brown for delaying an appointment. Earlier this week, O’Neill held talks with the IFA about a new six-year contract worth in the region of £4million over its duration. He has yet to speak to the SFA, who first must agree to meet a £500,000 compensation clause.
Sportsmail understands some within the governing body are uneasy about the combined financial outlay — in compensation and salary — that could potentially see more than £1m paid out in the first year of O’Neill being in charge of Scotland. Asked on Ulster-based radio station Cool FM whether he was surprised it had become publicly known that he was the SFA’s No 1 choice, O’Neill stated: ‘Yes, a little bit. It’s not driven by me. I have always said that. ‘This reared its head a considerable time ago actually when Gordon Strachan had a couple of bad results, but he turned that campaign around and they missed out in the final game and then obviously when Gordon left my name crops up again. ‘As I’ve said all along, I signed a four-year contract with the IFA and the conditions of that contract permit me to speak to people if things are done properly. The IFA and I have a really good relationship, so I’m a little bit surprised they (the SFA) have gone about it the way they have but at this minute in time until I’m given permission to speak to anyone I’m firmly focused in the job I’m in. ‘The thing people have to realise is that even if you speak to someone it doesn’t necessarily mean you are going to leave the job you are in.’