Burley was sacked after just 22 months in charge this morning in the wake of Saturday's demoralising 3-0 friendly defeat in Wales.

Even before he was given the chop, Kilmarnock boss Jefferies was installed as one of the favourites to succeed him.

The 58-year-old former Falkirk and Hearts manager told Press Association Sport: "I've been linked before with the position.

"What I've said many a time when I get linked with a job, whether it's the Scotland job or any other job, I never comment on that.

"The day I'll comment on anything like that is the day I get asked, and then I'll be able to say yes or no."

He added: "I have been linked and (it is) very flattering."

Jefferies expressed sympathy for Burley, who managed only three wins from his 14 games in charge.

"George would try 100%, he's a very passionate man," Jefferies continued.

"Unfortunately for him, it didn't work out and he's had to face the consequences."

Jefferies believes the players must take their share of the responsibility for their performances on the field and behaviour off it during Burley's reign.

"The players are not entirely blameless," he said. "I think Darren Fletcher's come out and said that."

Burley had been criticised for trying to play an expansive game with a squad used to focusing on being hard to beat.

Jefferies said: "The one thing I've always said with Scotland is, it's not how you play. People travel and spend a lot of money to see the team get a result.

"Because they don't play every week, it doesn't matter how they play. It's about qualifying and getting the points and not losing, because they've not got the same quality as a lot of the nations.

"If you open up a bit thinking you're going to entertain at that level, if you've not got the quality, it can be a problem.

"But you cannot criticise George for that because that's his philosophy and, if he did it that way, he's got to stand by it."