Motherwell manager Mark McGhee was magnanimous as he contemplated losing out to George Burley for the job as Scotland manager.McGhee and Southampton manager Burley were on a four-man SFA shortlist along with Celtic coach Tommy Burns and former Rangers boss Graeme Souness.

It emerged before the Steelmen's Scottish Cup fourth-round replay win over Hearts at Fir Park- courtesy of a Ross McCormack penalty - that Burley, an ex-Hearts boss, was set to be appointed successor to Alex McLeish who left for Birmingham in November.

But McGhee said: "I'm not really sure what the situation is, somebody has to clarify it for me.

"I was told live on Sky that George was appointed.

"If that is the case then I'm disappointed for myself but I am delighted for him and I will be right behind men.

"I've not lost my concentration in the past few weeks, as was shown tonight."

Asked whether a courtesy call from the SFA would have been in order, McGhee said: "In a sense, yes. But the stuff goes out. I've got no complaints."

Hearts stand-in manager Stevie Frail, who worked as reserve coach under Burley at Tynecastle, welcomed the SFA's appointment of a man who was believed to be the outsider of the four candidates.

He said: "I think he will do great. He was fantastic on the training ground and everyone knew their roles within the team.

"Tynecastle lifted instantly when he came, training sessions were sharp and we played them at high tempo.

"It's a positive appointment and I wish him every success."

On making it through to a fifth-round meeting with Dundee in the next round, McGhee said: "This was a massive result for us. They are a good team and to win through was very impressive.

"We managed to edge through and we are delighted with that."

After a 10-minute delay to let a large crowd in, McCormack converted from the spot in the 22nd minute after his attempted cross was blocked inside the box by the arm of Tynecastle midfielder Eggert Jonsson.

The dogged Fir Park side survived a spirited second-half fight back by Hearts to set up a home tie against Dundee in the next round.

Jonsson felt he had been hard done by with the penalty decision, saying: "I threw myself at the cross and it hit my hand. But it was not intentional."

Frail insists his side can bounce back to win next week's CIS Insurance Cup semi-final against Rangers at Hampden.

He said: "It's a massive loss for us but I still believe we can go to Hampden next week and reach the final.

"It's a one-off game and there is no added pressure."

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