The position became vacant last week when Smith resigned to replace Paul Le Guen as manager at Rangers.

SFA chief David Taylor said that a short-list of candidates had been drawn up but declined to name any names. But the BBC said that McLeish was the top choice.

He is currently out of football having left the coaching job at Rangers in May and he has so far not ruled out taking over Scotland's campaign to qualify for the Euro 2008 finals.

"We would like to get the matter settled as quickly as possible," said Taylor.

"We do have matches coming up but we have to get the right candidate -- that's more important than speed."

Other names mentioned in connection with the Scotland job are Tommy Burns, Jim Jeffries, Cary McAlister, Craig Levein and Joe Jordan, with Taylor having made it clear that it will go to a Scottish national.