Michael O'Neill snubs Scotland to remain with Northern Ireland

Scotland's search for Gordon Strachan's successor continues with confirmation that Michael O'Neill turned down an offer to become the country's next manager.

O'Neill was considered the favourite to land the job before reports Monday suggested that he preferred to remain manager of Northern Ireland - a nation he guided to the round of 16 during the UEFA European Championship in 2016.

The former Hibernian midfielder confirmed talks with the Scottish Football Association in a statement, saying that he was honoured to be offered the position but insisted that the timing was not suitable for him to accept the offer.

"Having given the matter a great deal of consideration, I have decided not to take up the opportunity to become the next Scotland manager," O'Neill said, according to the Scotsman. "It's a huge honour to be offered the position, however I do not feel that this is the right opportunity for me at this moment in my career.

"I would like to place on record my gratitude to the SFA for the very professional manner in which they conducted negotiations and I would also like to wish them every success for the future."

His decision to snub the job comes just two days before the inaugural draw for the UEFA Nations League. The draw takes place Wednesday, with the competition officially kicking off in September.

Scotland looks destined to go into the draw without a manager following Strachan's dismissal in October when the country failed to qualify for the 2018 World Cup.