Collins denies SFA approach

Published on Tuesday 11 December 2007 12:18

JOHN COLLINS today insisted he's had no contact from the SFA over the vacant Scotland manager's job.

The Hibs boss admits he is flattered to have been linked with the national position but says suggestions he has already been sounded out by the governing body are wide of the mark. It was reported today that Collins met with a representative of the SFA last week to discuss the possibility of filling the gap left by the departure of Alex McLeish last month.

McLeish quit his post as Scotland boss to take over at Birmingham City after failing to reach the Euro 2008 finals in Austria and Switzerland, despite victories home and away over France. Motherwell manager Mark McGhee, former United States boss Bruce Arena and Graeme Souness have also been linked with the vacancy over the past few weeks.

And Collins said today: "As always, I'm flattered to be linked with the national job, but I've no doubt they will be talking about someone else tomorrow. I have a contract with Hibs and there has definitely been no contact with anyone from the SFA."

Earlier this season, Collins was approached by Queens Park Rangers, but turned down their advances, saying at the time: "I have a job to do here and I intend to see it through.

"I never broke a contract during my playing career and I have no intention of doing so now."

Meanwhile Collins is confident that Rob Jones will be available to face Falkirk in the league this weekend after missing the club's last two matches.

The Hibs skipper was sidelined for the games against Aberdeen and Inverness after picking up a groin injury a fortnight ago, however he returned to training yesterday and is expected to make the starting line-up at Easter Road on Saturday.

Collins - who will watch Falkirk in action against Celtic at Parkhead tonight - added: "Rob was back in training yesterday, just doing some running, but we are optimistic that he will be fine for the weekend.

"He has been doing some running with the physio and we will give him a build-up programme as the week progresses.

"It's always a gradual build-up, you have to be careful with strains.

"He's been running in a straight line and as he builds up he'll be twisting and turning and then running with the ball.

"We won't rush him but he's been a big miss for us and it will be good to have him back again."