David Weir today urged SFA chiefs to show their true colours and appoint a Scot as the next manager of the national side.

The former Rangers and Scotland skipper insists the Hampden hierarchy should opt for some home-grown talent as the hunt for the man to replace Craig Levein continues.

Gordon Strachan remains favourite for the post, but gaffers from the continent including Lothar Matthaus and Lars Lagerback have also been touted for the Hampden hotseat.

Weir, who earned 69 caps for his country, played for Scotland during the ill-fated Berti Vogts era.

But he walked away from the international set-up during that period when the German publicly criticised him after the embarrassing 2-2 draw with the Faroe Islands in a European Championship qualifier in 2002.

Weir, who ended his exile in 2004 when Walter Smith took charge, said: "A Scottish appointment is best. It doesn't always work out but in an ideal world you would have a Scotsman managing the national side.

"I played under Berti and then the likes of Alex (McLeish) and Walter. It was different, but then every regime is different.

"I just think it is harder for someone from a different culture to come in and understand the nuances of the Scotland national side.

"We are probably a bit different from other countries because of the way we are and the things that come with the job – somebody who can appreciate that would make the transition that bit easier.

"People think of Scottish managers as being the best in the business. We produce a lot of good managers so I think it's only fair to believe we should have one in charge of the national side."