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Souness has spoken to the Scottish FA's four-man panel

Graeme Souness has spoken to the Scottish FA and insists he wants to become the next Scotland manager.

"I have been interviewed," he told the Scottish Mail on Sunday. "It was conducted in a very professional manner and I want the job."

Mark McGhee and George Burley have already held talks with the SFA, with Tommy Burns completing the shortlist of candidates to replace Alex McLeish.

But Burns's apparent reluctance to face an interview could count against him.

Interview: Motherwell manager Mark McGhee

Interview: Southampton manager George Burley

The Celtic coach has so far refused to confirm whether he will engage in discussions with the SFA.

The governing body say no-one has withdrawn from the process, but they are sure to favour candidates they have met face-to-face.

Billy Davies was on an original five-man list of targets but he has since ruled himself out.

The former Motherwell, Preston and Derby boss has since held talks about the Republic of Ireland manager's job.

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He told the Scottish News of the World: "Scotland appointed an under-21 manager before the national job was filled suggesting to me that the new manager wouldn't have any input at lower levels.

"That's not how I see the job so I respectfully withdrew my name from consideration.

"People might say 'He's not willing to speak to the SFA but he speaks to Ireland'.

"However, the Irish don't know anything about me so I can understand them wanting to speak to me face to face. Gordon Smith and everybody else in Scotland knows me."

Newspaper reports last week suggested ex-Rangers, Liverpool and Newcastle manager Souness had also withdrawn.

But SFA chief executive Gordon Smith said at the time: "At this stage no-one has ruled themselves out of the running for the job and we continue to work towards making an appointment by the end of the month."

McGhee has received widespread praise for Motherwell's performances this season and his leadership following the death of club captain Phil O'Donnell on 29 December.

Burley and McGhee are in the running for the the Scotland post

But he told BBC Sport on Saturday: "I have made it absolutely clear to the four-man committee that I will not leave Motherwell at this stage of the season.

"I would only leave at the end of the season.

"But I was happy with the interview and I was happy to be considered."

Scotland will play a friendly in March, while the World Cup qualifying campaign starts in September.

BBC Sport understands that Celtic will also not stand in the way of Burns should their coach wish to speak to the SFA.

The former Kilmarnock, Celtic and Reading manager, 51, was overlooked for the post 12 months ago when Walter Smith quit Scotland to return to Rangers, leading him to resign as assistant manager.

Burns had also been assistant to the previous national boss, Berti Vogts.

Burley, whose Southampton side are sitting outside the play-off places in England's Championship, was a success during a short spell with previous club Hearts.

Burley said: "It is a great honour to be considered by your country and it is only right that I listen to what they have to say.