Don't rule out a foreign boss.

JOHN Collins believes the Scottish Football Association should not rule out a foreigner as the next Scotland manager.

The disastrous Berti Vogts era means many observers believe the SFA should limit the search for George Burley's successor to a Scotsman.

However, with the likes of Fabio Capello and Giovanni Trapattoni earning plaudits with England and the Republic of Ireland, respectively, Collins insists nationality should be irrelevant.

But the former Hibernian manager - who has already expressed his own interest in the Scotland job - admits an ability to communicate effectively with the players is crucial if Hampden officebearers do decide to cast their net wider. "You look for the best manager for the job," said Collins (pictured). "I don't think nationality should have too much to do with it. The important thing is that you've got to speak the language.

"Football management is about communication - dealing with the media, dealing with your players. So it's got to be someone who can master the language.

"If you've got a foreign manager who can speak perfectly good English, by all means, he could be the right man for the job.

"But if you've got a great manager working in Italy or Spain who can't speak English then it's a tough job."

At the age of just 41, Collins would welcome the challenge of taking charge of the national team, but would expect the SFA to opt for someone with a larger CV and a few more years in management under their belt.

He said: "Generally, an international manager is usually an older, experienced campaigner. "You want a manager who can hopefully take the team forward and get us to a European Championship or a World Cup. That's the challenge, but it's not an easy job.

"I think it's a massively challenging proposition for any manager. That's the best way to put it - it's a huge challenge."