O’neill green light for SFA

Northern Ireland manager Michael O’neill has been told he is free to hold talks over the Scotland job.

Irish Football Association board members gave permission at a scheduled meeting yesterday. The Scottish FA approached its Belfast counterpart on Wednesday after identifying O’neill as the man it wants to succeed Gordon Strachan as Scotland manager.

The IFA has prepared a counter-offer for O’neill in a bid to keep him.

The SFA would have to pay compensation as the former Brechin City and Shamrock Rovers boss is contracted until June 2020.

Wales are also on the lookout for a new manager after Chris Coleman last night resigned to take charge at Sunderland.