NI boss Michael O'Neill appears to rule out Dundee Utd switch

Northern Ireland manager Michael O'Neill appears to have ruled himself out of contention to become the next manager of Dundee United.

Current boss Peter Houston is leaving the club at the end of this season and O'Neill was understood to be among the names being considered for the post.

However, O'Neill indicated on Thursday that he would be continuing in his Northern Ireland contract.

"I've got a contract here. That's what I intend to keep doing," said O'Neill.

"I don't think I have to really answer every newspaper article that written.

"That's just a story that is circulating in Scotland and you would be better asking the pundit that wrote the story rather than myself."

The Northern Ireland manager's current deal is until the end of this year.

O'Neill, who played for Dundee United between 1989 and 1993, has only been in the Northern Ireland post since December 2011 although he has yet to guide the team to a victory in seven games.

Finland manager Mixu Paatelainen is among other names to have been linked with the Tannadice Park job.

Other managers understood to be under consideration include Falkirk's Steven Pressley, Derek Adams of Ross County, Peterhead's Jim McInally, Jackie McNamara of Partick Thistle, Alloa Athletic's Paul Hartley and free agent Derek McInnes, who has expressed interest in the vacancy.

Compensation may prove to be a stumbling block to any move for Paateleinen.

Another former United player, Gary Bollan, who is currently available, says the post is "a very attractive job".