ABERDEEN boss Derek McInnes admits he is interested in becoming Scotland manager — just not yet.

Hampden chiefs are having to start their search for Gordon Strachan’s replacement from scratch after failing to lure Northern Ireland boss Michael O’Neill.

McInnes has been quoted among the leading contenders by bookmakers following the impressive job he has carried out at Pittodrie.

But while the Dons boss — who has knocked back offers from Sunderland and Rangers in recent months — says he would one day like to take on the national team, he insists he is happy to stay put in the Granite City for now.

“You all know how happy I am at Aberdeen,” he said. “There are certain jobs you would like to do in the future and Scotland would be one of those.

“But for now, whether I’m a candidate or not in certain people’s thinking, the job in hand at Aberdeen is what is important.”

O’Neill’s rejection of the Scottish Football Association has sparked fierce criticism of Hampden chief executive Stewart Regan’s handling of the recruitment process.

Scotland have been without a manager since Strachan was axed back in mid-October and the SFA delegation will now travel to Lausanne for tomorrow’s Uefa Nations League draw without a boss in place.

But McInnes does not believe the failure to persuade the former Hibernian and Dundee United winger to return to working in Scotland is the disaster it is being made out to be in some quarters.

“I don’t think it’s the be all and end all. There’s other good managers out there and I’m sure the SFA will be working hard to find one.”