Northern Ireland manager Michael O'Neill issues warning to Scottish FA saying he's not going to leave 'easily' as he opens negotiations with Irish Football Association to extend deal

  • Michael O'Neill insists the Scottish Football Association may struggle to sign him
  • The 48-year-old says discussions have yet to begin with the Scottish FA
  • O'Neill confirmed he has opened negotiations with the Irish Football Association
  • Scotland would need to pay a £500,000 compensation fee top secure O'Neill
  • Sportsmail understands some at the SFA are uneasy on the costs of the deal

Michael O'Neill has expressed 'surprise' at how the SFA have gone about attempting to appoint him as Scotland manager.

The Northern Ireland boss is the preferred choice of SFA chief executive Stewart Regan to replace Gordon Strachan, with an official approach made to the Irish FA more than four weeks ago.

O'Neill has not ruled out taking the job but his comments will bring further scrutiny on the methods deployed by the Hampden hierarchy, who have already been criticised by Scotland captain Scott Brown for delaying an appointment. 


Michael O'Neill was in the stands for Hibernian's 2-2 draw at home to Celtic on Sunday

Michael O'Neill was in the stands for Hibernian's 2-2 draw at home to Celtic on Sunday

Earlier this week, O'Neill held talks with the IFA about a new six-year contract worth in the region of £4million over its duration.

He has yet to speak to the SFA, who first must agree to meet a £500,000 compensation clause.

Sportsmail understands some within the governing body are uneasy about the combined financial outlay – in compensation and salary - that could potentially see over £1m paid out in the first year of O'Neill being in charge of Scotland. 

He has warned the Scottish FA they may struggle to prise him away from Northern Ireland

He has warned the Scottish FA they may struggle to prise him away from Northern Ireland

Asked on Ulster-based radio station Cool FM whether he was surprised it had become publicly known that he was the SFA's No 1 choice, O'Neill stated: 'Yes, a little bit. It's not driven by me. I have always said that.

'This reared its head a considerable time ago actually when Gordon Strachan had a couple of bad results, but he turned that campaign around and they missed out in the final game and then obviously when Gordon left my name crops up again.

'As I've said all along, I signed a four-year contract with the IFA and the conditions of that contract permit me to speak to people if things are done properly.  

Gordon Strachan was sacked as Scotland manager in October but has not been replaced

Gordon Strachan was sacked as Scotland manager in October but has not been replaced

'The IFA and I have a really good relationship so I'm a little bit surprised they (the SFA) have gone about it the way they have but at this minute in time until I'm given permission to speak to anyone I'm firmly focused in the job I'm in.

'The thing people have to realise is that even if you speak to someone it doesn' t necessarily mean you are going to leave the job you are in. I'm also speaking to the IFA about the future as well. It's the nature of football management that you can't find out about a job unless you talk to someone about it.'

O'Neill later added to the BBC: 'I hope to get the team to another European Championships - it's not a job I'm going to leave easily.

'People are always assuming that I'm going to make a decision to leave the position but I've never said that.

'I know the Scottish FA has indicated they would like to speak with me but there's been nothing more than that.'

The Northern Ireland boss wants to lead his current side to another European Championships

The Northern Ireland boss wants to lead his current side to another European Championships