GETTY David Moyes is the favourite to be appointed as Scotland's next manager

Moyes has been installed as favourite to replace Gordon Strachan, who quit with No 2 Mark McGhee on Thursday. Ex-boss Alex McLeish has expressed an interest in a Scotland return, and while Derek McInnes has said he is happy at Aberdeen he admitted it is an ambition to manage his country at some point. But former Manchester United and Everton boss Moyes shot to the top of the early betting. Moyes, who has also managed Preston and Real Sociedad, has been out of football since he quit Sunderland at the end of last season. However, it’s understood Moyes, 54, is attracting interest from Major League Soccer, with Colorado Rapids one of the teams keen on landing him. McLeish, who has 77 caps, served as Scotland boss in 2007 but left after they failed to reach Euro 2008. The former Motherwell and Rangers manager quit for Birmingham City and since then has managed Aston Villa, Nottingham Forest, Genk and Zamalek in Egypt.

GETTY Aberdeen boss Derek McInnes is keen on the Scotland position

McLeish said: “Of course, if the call came for the national job again it is something I would seriously consider.” McInnes is seen as one of the most highly-rated young Scottish managers. He has turned Aberdeen into Scotland’s second force and led them to a League Cup success. He turned down Sunderland over the summer, and it would take something special to lure him away from Pittodrie. McInnes said: “I think, like most, when you start out as a player, playing or managing your country would be very high on the agenda. “I am reluctant to talk about anything other than managing Aberdeen.”

SFA technical director Malky Mackay and former Wolves boss Paul Lambert are also high in the betting along with Kilmarnock managerial candidate Steve Clarke. Northern Ireland boss Michael O’Neill could also come into the reckoning. He led his team to last summer’s Euros and they are in the World Cup play-offs after finishing second in their group. O’Neill lives in Scotland and the SFA would also be able to offer a more lucrative package. Strachan’s departure is also likely to see a number of players follow in his footsteps, including captain Darren Fletcher and Scott Brown, paving the way for the next manager to start afresh.

GETTY Gordon Strachan has quit as Scotland manager