There is little doubt in my mind that Craig Levein will become the Scotland manager. What is less clear, though, is whether he wants to take the job this time round.
By guiding Dundee United to their first win over Celtic in 10 years at Tannadice on Sunday, fortuitous as the 2-1 victory was, the former Hearts and Leicester boss eased away in front of all the other candidates in the race to succeed George Burley.
The problem for the SFA is that although the big Fifer is motoring towards Hampden, he may want to first of all stop at the SPL offices and pick up the Clydesdale Bank Premier League trophy.
Leaving aside the euphoria that understandably accompanied such an historic win for the Taysiders, Levein came in to the post-match press conference looking and sounding like a man in control of his own destiny.
In the wake of Darren Dods' last-gasp winner which left Hoops' boss Tony Mowbray fending off some choice advice from some of the travelling support, the United fans had belted a lusty version of, 'we're going to win the league'.
For the first time in quarter of a century at United, it was hollered with a measure of confidence, a confidence growing under Levein who watched his side go equal on points with third-placed Hibs and only three behind leaders Rangers, whom they play in a re-arranged fixture next month.
When did three points last separate the top four in the SPL at this stage of the season? It would be folly to construct a Scotland case for Levein solely on the basis of a rare win over a ragged Celtic outfit.
His critics disregard his successful time at Tynecastle where he guided Hearts to third place in the SPL in two successive seasons, to point his more recent record, two top-five finishes in the last two seasons at United and a previous sacking at Leicester City. However, evidence is mounting, some empirical, some more along the lines of 'gut feeling' that the former Hearts and Scotland defender is the real deal.
Levein, also Director of Football at Dundee United which gives him a seat on the board of directors, is confident, sharp, pragmatic and occasionally fearsome. As a Jambos' stopper he was once handed a 12-game ban after breaking the nose of teammate Graeme Hogg during a pre-season friendly against Raith Rovers. He may wish to play that incident down but it helps with the respect thing that escapes so many modern day players.
This is not a man whose bark is worse than his bite - there would not have been a 'Boozegate' under his watch. And, with regards the media, he would not take any of the crap that Burley was often forced to endure.
He is admired for standing up to the SFA on points of principle, with both Hearts and United, and respected for always fighting his club's corner. Old Firm fans, in the main, don't like that sort of insubordination from 'provincial' managers but some discuss the possibility of him turning up at Ibrox or Celtic Park one day.
Perhaps, though, the Scotland job has become vacant at the wrong time for Levein. He senses, like many in Scottish football, that the Old Firm are there for the taking. I didn't believe that Celtic or Rangers, as ordinary as they are, could be challenged but unless the January window brings improvement and not just numbers to the respective Old Firm squads, then this could be the season for an upset.
Significantly, after Sunday's game Levein refused to "dampen down" the enthusiasm, not only of the support but of his impressive squad of players whom he believes "need not fear anyone".
In the 1-1 draw against Celtic at Parkhead earlier in the season, he had asked for more belief from his side when it came to taking on the Old Firm in Glasgow. Ironically, in many ways United performed poorly against Celtic at Tannadice but the belief that coursed through Tangerine and Black veins when Jon Daly capped his return from a lengthy lay-off by grabbing the equaliser, was tangible.
Most teams would have tried to shut up shop, content with the point, and as we have often seen in the past, probably succumbed to a late Celtic rally. However, it was United who scrambled the late winner which was good news for Tannadice fans and neutrals but maybe bad news for the Tartan Army.
The question people are asking is when things are going so well at Tannadice, why would Levein give it up to manage his country?
Scotland will be in Pot 3 for the 2012 European Championship draw in February and even if Allan McGregor, Barry Ferguson and Kris Boyd returned to the fold, qualification is unlikely. Again.
The managers who have been quick to distance themselves from the job know this. So will Levein. The United boss has spent the last week trying not to add to the on-going speculation. It is thought that he is not interested in working under the present regime and with such a narrow remit as stimulating the national side. The man who implemented a new youth policy at Tannadice to instil the basics in his youth players, would want to roll out his ideas across the nation.
It is a huge task, perhaps even bigger than bringing the SPL title back to United for the first time since 1983. Levein may be asked to make that choice soon. However, even if he declines this time, he will remain Scotland's manager-in-waiting.
Last updated: 23 November 2009, 09:46
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