Gordon McQueen believes eyebrows will be raised at the imminent appointment of George Burley as the new Scotland manager.

Burley is set to be unveiled as national team coach within the next 48 hours after the Scottish Football Association identified the 51-year-old as their preferred choice to succeed Alex McLeish.

A compensation package has been agreed between the SFA and Southampton, leaving only personal terms to be thrashed out.

McQueen thought Graeme Souness was certain to land the job, after being interviewed along with the other shortlisted candidates, Motherwell manager Mark McGhee and Celtic coach Tommy Burns.

But the former Scotland defender has backed Burley to continue where McLeish left off.

McQueen said: "I was a bit surprised because I thought Graeme Souness was all set to get the job.

"But I certainly wish George all the best, he is an Ayrshire lad like myself, and I hope he continues the work of Alex McLeish.

"There weren't a huge amount of obvious candidates for the job but people like Gordon Smith and George Peat have thought long and hard, they have gone through the process, and they know what they are doing.

"As far as they are concerned, George ticks all the boxes."

Walter Smith brought stability to a team left in disarray by the Berti Vogts era and McLeish continued to build on that success by taking Scotland agonisingly close to their first major tournament in a decade.

According to McQueen, that means instant pressure for Burley.

He added: "The expectations are a lot higher than they have been in a few years after having a reasonably successful Euro 2008 qualifying campaign.

"Results have improved since Berti Vogts left and Scotland fans will be looking for that to continue so there is a little more pressure.

"He has the experience. He has worked at all levels in Scotland and England and I'm hoping the team will be as organised as it was when Alex McLeish and Walter Smith were in charge.

"He will certainly be enthusiastic and up for the challenge."

McQueen believes positive results on the pitch is the best way to win the support of the Tartan Army.

He said: "He will be a popular choice as long as he wins games. Some managers are popular choices beforehand and then not so popular if they lose a couple of games. It's the same with any managerial appointment."

Scotland legend Archie Gemmill also backed Burley to succeed, adding: "I'm sure he will do as good a job as the previous manager. George has been a long time in management and he is a very experienced man."