Scottish Rugby Union chief executive Mark Dodson insists he is pleased with the job done by interim head coach Scott Johnson but warns a decision on whether to hand him the job permanently is still some way off.
Australian Johnson took over from Andy Robinson and guided the Dark Blues through their recent RBS 6 Nations campaign.
Victories over Italy and Ireland and a joint-third place finish was a reasonable return from a squad that ended the previous championship with five defeats and the Wooden Spoon.
But 50-year-old Johnson, who was assisted by former England forward Dean Ryan during the tournament, has refused to confirm whether he will stay on as Robinson’s permanent successor until after talks with the SRU.
It is understood Murrayfield chiefs are keen to retain the former interim Wales head coach’s services but Dodson admits an agreement is still to be reached.
A report in the Daily Telegraph suggested a sticking point on a deal concerns whether Johnson’s role will be expanded to cover player development, with the title of Director of Rugby being considered.
But Dodson said: “We are still talking to Scott and have been doing so pretty much since the Six Nations ended.
“We said we would sit down at the end of the tournament and talk about the next steps and we are still doing that. The Telegraph story is just supposition.
“I wouldn’t like to be too categorical about anything because Scott and I still have a lot to talk about. The Six Nations are only just finished and this is going to take a certain amount of time to wash through.
“But we are very happy with what Scott and Dean did over the whole of the Six Nations period.”
Dodson refused to rule out handing Johnson an expanded portfolio but did say that the entire SRU coaching structure could be redrawn.
He recently named former Scotland hooker Stevie Scott as interim Edinburgh head coach following Michael Bradley’s failed reign but will make an announcement of a full-time replacement following his talks with Johnson.”