Levein keeps quiet but is favourite for Burley post

Published on Friday 20 November 2009 22:53

CRAIG Levein has refused to be drawn on speculation linking him with the Scotland manager's job, claiming it would be disrespectful to Dundee United, but is the clear frontrunner for the post after Walter Smith confirmed he was not interested in returning to the role.

The Tannadice manager, whose team host Celtic tomorrow, has emerged as the bookmakers' 2-1 favourite to replace the sacked George Burley, but he insisted yesterday: "I don't want to talk about something that might or might not happen. I get paid by Dundee United to do a job here. For me to make comments on speculation is really disrespectful.

"I think it's an honour for anyone who's patriotic to lead their country. That's evident. But I spoke to the chairman at the beginning of the week and told him I wouldn't speak about it. What's the point? There isn't one. Supporters coming here pay good money and they don't want my head filled with that stuff, they want me to concentrate on what I'm doing at Dundee United."

Levein is contracted to United until 2012 and says he is happy at the Tayside club. He added: "I love it here, and I've said that so many times in the past. I'm an ambitious man and I've said that if the right job came up then that's something I would consider.

"But there's been no situation that's arisen to make me feel I need to explain myself to anybody. I've got a job to do here at Dundee United."

As far as chairman Stephen Thompson is concerned, he wants Levein at United long-term. "He's contracted to our club for a long period of time and I certainly want him to stay here for another three, five, 10 years," he said.

SFA chief executive Gordon Smith, who has rowed with Levein in the past, insisted on Wednesday that he has no problem with anyone in the Scottish game, and the United manager is likely to be considered when the association's board meets next month to draw up a shortlist for the vacancy.