The National:

THE Jouker is never one to shy away from a laugh. So where better to look than at the betting odds for the next First Minister?

Top of the pile of candidates on oddschecker.com is Scottish Tory leader Ruth Davidson at 5/1.

We were mightily impressed this week when her deputy Jackson Carlaw suggested that Davidson was “likely” to be the next First Minister – with a straight face.

That’s more than can be said for the Jouker. We can’t help but wonder if the person who has stood idly by as her Westminster party drags Scotland out of the EU against its will and imposes “punitive, mean-spirited, and often callous” (in the words of the UN’s special rapporteur on poverty) austerity policies is unlikely to lead her party to victory in a popularity contest any time soon.

READ MORE: Tory deputy leader claims Ruth Davidson 'likely' to be next First Minister

Fear not though Scots, there is a long list of outstanding candidates available should a vacancy at Holyrood arise.

None, however, can be identified among the opposition.

Richard Leonard stuffs the proof into that particular pudding, ranked at number 2 on the list at 6/1.

Leonard has overcome the odds to reach this kind of standing, having slowly learned to get to grips with the concept of devolved and reserved power.

WATCH: Here's every time Richard Leonard had to be reminded what powers Scotland actually has

The National:

But it seems his campaign of self-betterment will not be enough to win him the hot seat. A YouGov survey released last month showed his party is facing a post-Brexit annihilation if they stay on course to support an EU withdrawal.

It suggests support for Leonard and colleagues would plummet to just 15%, with a quarter of Labour voters switching to the SNP.

READ MORE: Scottish Labour facing post-Brexit election wipeout

Scottish LibDem leader Willie Rennie is generously given a mention too. He’s hot on Leonard’s heels at 100/1.

Perhaps his inability to competently criticise the current First Minister explains his malaise.

READ MORE: Willie Rennie left red-faced over his criticism of First Minister

If the first three candidates brought a smirk to the Jourker’s face, a look further down the list had us in fits.

Step forward former Ukip MEP David Coburn at 200/1.

He was last in the news as he faced hypocrisy accusations when he quit the party, deeming it to be too “anti-Islam”. Three years previously, he compared Scottish minister Humza Yousaf to convicted terrorist Abu Hamza.

READ MORE: David Coburn accused of hypocrisy after quitting Ukip

Also at 200/1 is a candidate we would consider to be far more realistic ­– independence-supporting tennis great Andy Murray.

As always, our money’s on Andy.