Scotland closing on Burley deal Southampton manager George Burley

The Scottish FA board has ratified the move to make Southampton's George Burley the new Scotland manager.

Compensation must now be agreed with the Championship club over the 51-year-old's contract.

Burley was on a four-man shortlist alongside Mark McGhee, Graeme Souness and Tommy Burns.

The former Ipswich, Derby and Hearts manager will succeed Alex McLeish, who quit to take charge of Premier League side Birmingham at the end of November.

"His track record is very sound, but what is particularly good about George is his man-management," former Scotland boss Craig Brown told BBC Radio 5 Live.

"He always gets the best out of players."

But Brown said there would be a lot of pressure on the new man, adding: "He is inheriting an outstanding set-up.

"Alex McLeish had a wonderful record, winning seven out of his 10 internationals, and Scotland are 14th in the world rankings.

"So he's got quite a bit to live up to and there is a good crop of players coming through."

Burley was interviewed for the post last week after Southampton reluctantly agreed to the SFA's request to speak to their manager.

Born in Cumnock, he has vast experience in club management, having coached Ayr, Colchester, Ipswich, Hearts and Derby.

He led Ipswich to a fifth-place finish in the Premier League in 2001, securing a Uefa Cup place in the process.

At Hearts, he briefly threatened to make the Edinburgh side serious challengers to the Old Firm but departed after a superb start to the 2005-06 season due to off-field matters.

He also played for Ipswich and won 11 caps for Scotland as a defender from 1979 to 1982.

Burley, whose first game in charge would be the 26 March friendly against Croatia at Hampden Park, is expected to grasp the opportunity to lead his country.

He said at the weekend: "It is a great honour that Scotland asked to speak to me.

"There is a lot to consider. I am very happy at Southampton, but if your country asks to speak to you then it is only right to do so."

As for McGhee, many people's favourites to land the job, he admitted it was a blow to miss out.

"Its a huge disappointment because I felt I was very close," said the Motherwell boss, who was told of Burley's imminent appointment by the media.

"At times, I was given the impression I was very very close."

Speaking to BBC Radio Scotland ahead of Motherwell's SPL match against Hearts on Tuesday night, he added: "All I can say is congratulations to George.

"I think he will be a terrific Scotland manager and I will do all I can to help him.

"I remain very proud to have been considered and if George does not win the World Cup then it opens it up for me to be one who does!"

Scotland have not qualified for a major tournament since reaching the 1998 World Cup.

Under McLeish, they just failed to reach the finals of the 2008 European Championships, finishing third in their group behind world champions Italy and France.

McLeish was in charge for just 10 months, succeeding Walter Smith, who resigned to take charge of Rangers.

Former Scotland international Pat Nevin is confident Burley's appointment is a step forward for Scottish football.

"Everyone in England knows what he has done. He has done a great job everywhere he has been," he told BBC Radio 5 Live.

"He is the only man who has recently come close to breaking the Old Firm stronghold with Hearts.

"If he had been given more time he would have taken Celtic and Rangers to the wire."

Scotland goalkeeper Craig Gordon added: "It's good we are appointing another Scot who knows the players, knows the teams and the Scottish game.

"It's important for us to keep our identity."

Southampton say they have yet to receive official confirmation from the SFA that Burley is the man they want.

But former Derby boss Billy Davies has already been linked with the Championship club, who are struggling to mount a promotion push for the third straight year.