Sunderland have their promotion hopes in their own hands heading towards the conclusion of this year's league campaign in League One.
If the Black Cats are to win their remaining three league games, then they will return to the Championship at the first time of asking.
But supporters face a spell of uncertainty over the future of their manager, Jack Ross, with the Sunderland boss being on the shortlist for the Scottish national team vacancy according to the Daily Record.
This latest report has come at the worst possible time, with Sunderland heading into a pivotal stage of their season in League One.
Sunderland supporters will be fearing that Ross could depart as well, as the prospect of managing a team on the international stage is likely to be high on any managers' agenda.
Ross has been impressive in rebuilding the Black Cats this season and without him, you have to feel that they wouldn't be within touching distance of making an immediate return to the Championship at the first time of asking.
He's lead Sunderland into the play-off places, and if they are to win their remaining league games, then they will finish in one of the automatic promotion places.
So for this latest report to come to light will be frustrating, and it could prove to be a defining moment in Sunderland's season.
It's a distraction that they didn't need, and supporters have every right to be concerned with speculation linking Ross with the Scotland job, as he certainly won't be turning it down straight away.
But if you're Jack Ross in that situation, you surely will be wanting to finish the project that you started with Sunderland, as he's already well on his way to achieving the first goal that will have been set for him at the start of the season.
Sunderland fans will be keen for Ross to remain focused on the task at hand for now though, as they're within touching distance of winning promotion back into the Championship.
It'll certainly be an interesting summer ahead for Sunderland though, especially if Ross is to depart for the Scotland job.