O’Neill cleared for talks with SFA

SCOTLAND: Northern Ireland boss set for negotiations over succeeding Strachan

Former Brechin City boss Michael O’Neill is set for face-to-face talks with the Scottish FA as efforts to find a successor to Gordon Strachan finally clicked into gear last night.

The 48-year-old former Dundee United midfielder has been the preferred option for the Scotland post since Strachan’s departure in October.

The long-running saga has been ongoing since the SFA made an official approach for permission to speak to the Northern Ireland manager in November. After weeks of negotiations a compensation package has finally been agreed with the Irish FA and talks over personal terms are now expected next week.

O’Neill, who is under contract until 2020, led Northern Ireland to their first major finals for 30 years at Euro 2016 – but saw hopes of reaching this summer’s World Cup ended in the play-offs by Switzerland.

The Irish FA are keen to keep their manager and a four-year contract extension is believed to still be on the table.

O’Neill has also been linked with a move back to club football with Sunderland and West Brom granted permission to speak to him about their recent managerial vacancies.