The quality of players has been scrutinised in the wake of George Burley's sacking earlier this week, with the job now being seen as a far less attractive prospect than it once was.

Collins was one of the first to express an interest in filling the vacancy when last weekend's 3-0 defeat in Wales spelled the end of a troubled tenure for Burley.

And, despite failing to secure a play-off spot in what many regarded as one of the easier qualifying sections for next summer's World Cup finals, the former Hibernian boss does see hope for the national team.

"We've shown in flashes in games that we can compete with the best," he said.

"It's about trying to get consistency. It's a possibility, of course it is, but it takes consistency, hard work and some breaks along the way. It's a fine line between winning and losing.

"We've got to try to get behind the players. Everyone has got to try to do their little bit to help.

"It's easy to criticise and jump on the bandwagon and say the players aren't doing this and that or the manager isn't doing it.

"But I think there are certain key moments when the players need a little more support and backing."

Reports this week suggested Walter Smith - the early favourite - has ruled himself out of the running.

But his assistant at Rangers, Ally McCoist, was unaware of the veteran boss distancing himself from a return to the national team helm.

"I don't know if he has had enough," said McCoist.

"It is news to me that he withdrew his name; I didn't know that either.

"With his experience and what he did the first time, he would have to be at the top of any list that I would be picking as a supporter."

One Scotland manager who has stated publicly that he has no interest in the job is Alex McLeish.

He said: "Is it a job I would want to return to now? No. I've got a fantastic challenge here at Birmingham.

"I loved my time with Scotland, a fantastic journey which was part of my education in football and it is a phenomenal honour to manage your country.

"But I am very happy at Birmingham."

Dundee United boss Craig Levein and Jim Jefferies at Kilmarnock have also been linked with the post, with Jefferies claiming even his own players do not know whether he is interested in the job or not.

"The players are probably scared to say anything because they know what I'm like," he said.

"Anybody who has been mentioned for the job will get a lot of banter but they haven't been saying much.

"I keep telling them what I tell you - it's all speculation. It's not something I lose any sleep over."

If Jefferies did get the nod, Hibs manager John Hughes says he would be interested in joining forces with his old Falkirk boss as part of the backroom staff.

He said: "I'd like to get in that environment and get in doing a bit of coaching and working and watching how it gets done at that stage, for me as well, for my future development. I'd be there in a shot."

Across the other side of Edinburgh, Hearts manager Csaba Laszlo revealed his interest in becoming the next Scotland manager, having previously coached the Uganda national team.

He said: "If there's the possibility to be the manager of a country - it's indifferent which country - it must be a big honour for every coach and for every manager.

"If somebody comes to the club and asks for permission to discuss with me, okay we can discuss, definitely."