Derek McInnes not ready to talk about Scotland possibilities
Thursday 18 April 2019 17:21, UK
Aberdeen boss Derek McInnes says the vacant Scotland job should be an ambition for most managers but is not being drawn on whether it is a role he fancies.
McInnes spoke to the media on Thursday morning a matter of moments after the Scottish Football Association announced the departure of Alex McLeish.
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He now finds himself as one of the favourites to take over from McLeish, along with Kilmarnock boss Steve Clarke and current Scotland performance director Malky Mackay.
McInnes admitted he was disappointed for Aberdeen great McLeish and said he was not keen to discuss his own odds about taking over so soon after finding out the news.
He said: "I'm not going to get drawn into that. The big fella has just lost his job and I've stated often enough about where I see myself being here.
"I enjoy being here, and it's wrong of me to start talking about it when I only found out half an hour ago.
"It depends on where you are in your career but managing your country would have to be up there with the majority of managers as some sort of ambition at some point.
"But literally half an hour ago I found out about big Alex and I think it's the time to show our sympathies towards him.
"Whoever goes in would be aware of the scrutiny and pressures of the job but also the rewards of the job.
"It's that risk and reward, the reward for qualifying for a tournament would be fantastic for a manager out there and I think there's good talent in the squad.
"This campaign isn't over yet and that's what I am disappointed with, that Alex has not had the chance to see it through."
