Former Everton and Rangers manager Walter Smith has insisted that his appointment as Scotland boss is not a foregone conclusion. Scottish FA board members said at Hampden Park they had been impressed by Smith at interview on Friday.
But Smith, whose main rival is Gordon Strachan, played down the idea that he already had the job, saying: "Not yet. That is all a bit premature.
"I met with the SFA and, while it was a decent meeting, no decision was taken."
Smith insisted that the 4-1 midweek friendly defeat by Sweden had not put him off the job recently vacated by Berti Vogts.
"Wednesday did not tell you anything," he said.
 |  It was a very difficult task for Tommy Burns |
"Scotland had 12 withdrawals from the team and Scotland cannot afford to have 12 withdrawals from their team. "They had a lot of younger players in there who were placed in a situation where they were coming up against a steady and experienced international side, even though they were missing one of two players."
The defeat appeared to end caretaker manager Tommy Burns' hopes of succeeding Vogts, but Smith had sympathy for the German's former assistant.
"It was a very difficult task for Tommy Burns to handle in that game," he said. "Sweden are a good side and have good players."
SFA vice-president John Smith had emerged from Friday's interview to say: "We got the right answers to the questions we asked. He is a professional man who has worked at the highest level."
Fans' favourite Strachan, the former Coventry City and Southampton manager, is expected to be interviewed over the weekend but has at times distanced himself from the post.
SFA board member George Peat stressed that it was too early to say whether Smith would be given the job and refused to be drawn on the other names on the shortlist.
But he said: "The interview went very well."
A decision could be made at the SFA board meeting on 2 December.
An SFA spokesman said: "Obviously, they want to conclude the process as swiftly as possible but it is a very important appointment."
Chief executive David Taylor had earlier told The Herald newspaper: "It is in everyone's interest to appoint a new manager as quickly as possible, especially after Wednesday's result." Burns, who has expressed his willingness to consider working with Smith should the former Dundee United player be given the job, concedes that the new man will need time to sort out the malaise in the Scotland team.
"There is a real challenge there," said Burns.
"It certainly won't be easy and it won't come quickly. But there are signs of hope.
"It is going to take strong people with strong wills. It doesn't matter what we say about this or that, it is a different time now and everyone has their responsibility for what they do.
"We can't just keep on hammering the players."
MMIX
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