Northern Ireland Boss Michael O'Neill Emerges as Frontrunner for Rival Scotland Job

The IFA stand prepared for an approach from Scotland for manager Michael O'Neill should their World Cup bid end in Switzerland on Sunday.

O'Neill has established himself as a frontrunner to succeed Gordon Strachan for the Scotland job as Chief Executive Stewart Regan will keep a close eye on the events taking place in Switzerland in case an opportunity to make a move arises.

The 48-year-old's side will look to make a comeback in Basel, as they lost a closely contested affair in their first leg of the world cup qualifying playoffs, due to a controversial penalty call.

O'Neill's job in guiding the smallest home nation to the last 16 of Euro 2016 and now to within an inch of World Cup qualification has not gone unnoticed, ultimately making him a primary candidate for the job of leading Scotland to Euro 2020.

Regan has insisted that there is no need for an immediate takeover in the dressing room, however, he has explicitly ruled out the potential of caretaker manager Malky Mackay having the role on a permanent basis, following a defeat to Holland on Thursday night.

The Northern Ireland boss previously signed an extension in March 2016 which will see him contracted until June 2020. Although financial compensation will be required to lure away the Irishman, the £750k release clause in his contract will not apply to any national association.

One IFA Spokesperson commented on the situation through Sportsmail by stating: "Michael O’Neill is contracted until June 2020 and anything beyond that is just speculation."

O'Neill became the first man to lead Northern Ireland to a European Championship in 2016 and tonight he will look to break Swiss hearts in order to make it back-to-back tournaments.