O'Neill won't let Burns leave without a fight
Celtic manager Martin O’Neill (pictured) has promised the Scottish Football Association they will face opposition from the club if they want to make Tommy Burns their permanent coach.
The Irishman initially said not many would stand in the way of their director of youth development taking charge of the national team on a temporary basis.
But it seems the position has changed with Burns seemingly among the front-runners to succeed Berti Vogts.
“At first I thought Tommy was doing the job only in the interim but things have hurtled on at a fair pace and he now seems to be in contention for the job,” said O’Neill.
“On the football side I wouldn’t stand in someone’s way but Tommy has an important job here in terms of youth development.
“That issue would have to be passed onto our board to find out their reaction.
“Managing your country is a great opportunity but it would be a bit disconcerting to lose someone from the club.”
Burns takes charge of this week’s friendly with Sweden but he does not know how long he will be in charge.
The former Celtic player and manager said: “There is no timetable for talks and I was told to take the job for the foreseeable future. After that I don’t know.
“A February international has come up in conversation but nothing has been decided.
“I couldn’t tell you what the hierarchy is thinking of in terms of a timetable for speaking to people.”
