Scottish Football Association have been given permission to talk to Northern Ireland boss Michael O’Neill.

The Irish Football Association and the SFA were locked in talks on Friday over a compensation package, and after those talks went well – permission was given.

O’Neill is a man-in-demand after already turning down the chance to take over at Sunderland earlier this week, whilst USA are also keen.

But now Scotland have made their move as they look to seal a permanent replacement for Gordon Strachan, who left in October after they failed to qualify for the World Cup finals.

Bookmakers have had O’Neill as the odds-on favourite for weeks, and BetVictor currently make him 2/5 to take the Hampden hot-seat.