By Ross Clark

SCOTLAND Under-21s manager, Scot Gemmill could be set for a major promotion amidst speculation he will be handed the reigns to the first team.

Odds on the relatively inexperienced Scot Gemmill to make the leap from dealing with potential stars of the future to the mediocrity of the present have been slashed in the last 24 hours.

SkyBet now have the 47-year-old as 2/1 favourite to take on the role on a permanent basis.

It has been over four months since Gordon Strachan and the SFA parted company following yet another failed campaign after failing to guide his side to this summer’s World Cup in Russia – narrowly missing out on a play-off spot.

Since then there has been a number of names linked to the potentially fill the vacant desk at Hampden.

Former manager Alex Mcleish, who walked away from his country to take on the Birmingham City job in 2007, has expressed interest in a return to post. Scotland legends Ally McCoist and Gary Caldwell have also shown their desire to take on the job.

Last week, Northern Ireland manager, Michael O’Neill, ruled himself out of taking on the challenge of trying to take Scotland to their first major championship in over 20 years in what was a significant blow. The SFA had identified O’Neill, who had guided the green army to the last 16 of the 2016 European Championships, as their number one target but failed to convince him to make the trip over the Irish sea.

The situation is now back to square one with Malky Mackay currently in temporary charge for the foreseeable future. Having been drawn against Albania and Israel for this year’s UEFA Nations League fans will be keen to see a manager in place at some point soon.

It seems, for now, that Scotland took a similar route to that of England with Gareth Southgate and Rangers in Graeme Murty in promoting youth team managers to the top job.

Odds on next permanent Scotland manager (Skybet)

Scot Gemmill – 2/1

Alex McLeish – 3/1

Malky Mackay – 9/2

Derek McInnes – 6/1

Gary Caldwell – 8/1

Steve Clarke – 10/1

Neil Lennon – 12/1

Stuart McCall – 14/1

Ally McCoist – 16/1