Scotland manager Walter Smith has been refused permission to speak to Rangers. Smith and Ally McCoist were expected to take over at Ibrox following the departure of Paul Le Guen last week.

But after a meeting between Smith and the Scottish Football Association at Hampden, which lasted about an hour and a half, chief executive David Taylor said: "Following contact from Rangers Football Club, we held a meeting this morning with Walter Smith.

"At this meeting Walter Smith asked to be relived of his contract as national team manager for Scotland. This request has been refused and Rangers Football Club have been advised accordingly."