Former Lion Scott Hastings believes the successor to national coach Ian McGeechan could be plying his trade at Boroughmuir.

McGeechan will step down from his role to succeed retiring SRU director of rugby Jim Telfer after the World Cup in Australia next year.

Several overseas names, such as Nick Mallett, have been mentioned as possible successors.

But Hastings, who played for McGeechan in the successful Lions tour of Australia in 1989, believes ex-Scotland centre Sean Lineen could provide an answer.

Hastings said: ``One person who does spring to mind is Sean Lineen, who undoubtedly does have the credentials.

``He has brought on board to coach the Scotland Under-21s and it will be interesting to see if he takes a step up.

``Ultimately, somebody will have to stick their head above the parapet and Sean Lineen's results speak for themselves.''

New Zealand-born Lineen has coached with distinction at Meggetland where he has turned the team into the top club side in Scotland since his arrival as coach in 1998.

But Hastings admits the opportunities to coach at the very highest level for other Scottish-based candidates are limited.

Hastings said: ``Telfer has gone on record to challenge the Scottish-based coaches to go out and seek new opportunities.

``But the trouble is that the pyramid' is too small in Scotland with only three professional teams.

``Some of the guys plying their trade with BT Premiership clubs are not prepared to give up their jobs on the whim of potentially getting up the coaching ladder - maybe there is too much risk involved.

``In England, there are coaches in the academies moving to Zurich Premiership and the national leagues and, in many respects, there are more opportunities for former players to ply their trade.''

However, Hastings insists a quick turn around from McGeechan to the new man must be made with the 2004 Six Nations following hard on the heels of the World Cup.

Hastings said: ``Thoughts will now be on who McGeechan's successor will be and that will be vital for continuity.

``The World Cup will come and go quickly next year and then we will be into the Six Nations in 2004.

``The Six Nations this season will be a testing ground for the World Cup for all the teams involved - that is the goal for everyone at the moment.''