GRAEME Souness has held talks with the Scottish Football Association and insists he wants to become the next Scotland manager.

Reports earlier in the weekend suggested the former Scotland captain was distancing himself from the vacancy.

But he insisted: eeI have been interviewed by the SFA. The interview was conducted in a very professional manner and I want the job.ff Mark McGhee and Tommy Burns are also believed to have held talks with the football governing body, while George Burley is the other name on the four-man shortlist.

Meanwhile, Billy Davies has revealed why he withdrew from the race to succeed Alex McLeish as national team coach.

He said: eeScotland appointed an under-21 manager before the national job was filled suggesting to me that the new manager wouldnft have any input at lower levels.

eeThatfs not how I see the job so I respectfully withdrew my name from consideration.ff Davies spoke to Republic of Ireland representatives on Thursday and added: eePeople might say eHefs not willing to speak to the SFA but he speaks to Irelandf.

eeHowever, the Irish donft know anything about me so I can understand them wanting to speak to me face to face.

Gordon Smith and everybody else in Scotland knows me.ff Jens Lehmann admits he may not be in Arsene Wengerfs plans at the Emirates Stadium although he insists he still has a future at the north London club.

The 38-year-old lost his place to Manuel Almunia following a number of blunders at the start of the season and he has been on the verge of quitting the Gunners.

Lehmann said: eeIt could be that I will be playing often again at Arsenal. However, I believe that my coach Arsene Wenger does not necessarily plan on playing me. But I cannot allow myself anything else than to believe in my chance.ff