O'Neill a wanted man as Scotland finally make formal approach
Sunderland also apparently about to move for his services
The Scottish FA has made an official move for Michael O’Neill.
A bid was tabled last night for O’Neill to replace Gordon Strachan as Scotland’s new manager.
O'Neill has long been considered the leading candidate to take the job after Strachan departed Hampden, and Northern Ireland's exit from the World Cup qualifying play-offs has prompted a scramble for the in-demand manager.
The ball is now in the court of the Irish Football Association, which has O'Neill under contract until the end of the next European Championship campaign, with the United States also thought to be interested, while Rangers has also been touted as a possible destination.
Meanwhile, Sunderland could make a formal approach later today.
O'Neill, who lives in Edinburgh and is a former Hibernian and Dundee United player, refused to comment on his future after his side were denied a place in their first World Cup since 1986 following a controversial 1-0 aggregate defeat at the hands of Switzerland on Tuesday night.
''No, I haven't even considered that,'' he said. ''Tonight is about being with my players, spending time with them and making sure they are OK.
''As I said to the players themselves, there is no need to make any rash decisions on anything they want to do.
Malky Mackay has been ruled out of the job on a permanent basis by SFA chief Stewart Regan, having overseen the friendly defeat to Holland last week.
Scotland's next match is likely to be in March with talks taking place over a friendly in Morocco