Davies will make Scotland commitment

Billy Davies has told the Scottish Football Association he would be willing to put club football on hold for five years to become the next Scotland manager.

Davies has been linked with the job after parting company with Derby on Tuesday and believes the next national team boss should be a long-term appointment.

"It's very important for the SFA and the Scotland fans that there's a level of commitment shown to the job of national team manager," he told the Daily Record. "I would be prepared to devote five years of my life to the team."

He added: "I was flattered and proud to hear my name mentioned in connection with the job and the next manager has to be a long-term appointment."

Both Walter Smith and Alex McLeish quit after short spells to return to club management with Rangers and Birmingham respectively.

But Davies added: "I'm an admirer of what Walter and Alex did with the national team and I'm in no way blaming them for returning to club football.

"They have left a very good squad of players behind who have put pride back in the country."