Former First Minister Alex Salmond expects Nicola Sturgeon to hold a second independence referendum in two years.

The SNP MP's comments were made in an interview with Russia Today, a media organisation funded by the Russian government.

A poll for STV News on Thursday indicated 54% of Scots do not want a second referendum within the next two years.

Salmond said: "I would expect Nicola Sturgeon to fulfil her mandate to keep Scotland within the single market place, I would expect her to give Theresa May the opportunity to embed Scotland within the negotiations to enable that to happen.

"And I fully expect, my reading of the situation is, the UK will not be flexible or wise enough to do that and therefore I expect there'll be a Scottish referendum in roughly two years' time."

At a press conference several hours after the EU referendum result was announced, Nicola Sturgeon said a fresh referendum on independence was "highly likely".

The First Minister then instructed her ministers to draft legislation to hold such a poll if the Scottish Government cannot secure membership or a satisfactory relationship with the EU while being part of the UK.

At the unveiling of her programme for government on September 6, Sturgeon said: "Sixty-two percent of those who voted in Scotland, voted to remain.

"That's why I am determined to pursue all options to protect our place in Europe.

"However, to ensure that all options are open to us, this programme for government makes clear that we will consult on a draft referendum bill so that it is ready for immediate introduction if we conclude that independence is the best or only way to protect Scotland".

The Prime Minister is expected to trigger Article 50 in 2017, possibly after the French and German elections in spring.

A second independence referendum held two years from now would therefore be held at the closing stages of the UK's negotiations to leave the EU.

In response to Salmond's comments, a Scottish Labour spokesman said: "Our manifesto for this year's Scottish Parliament election committed to opposing any independence referendum bill throughout this parliament.

"That commitment still stands and, as Kezia Dugdale has said, the SNP will find no support from the Labour Party for a second independence referendum.

"It is time that, instead of focusing on the constitution, this Government focussed on improving our schools, hospitals and vital public services."

A spokesman for the SNP said Sturgeon will continue to "pursue all options" to protect Scotland's status in Europe including a second referendum on independence.

The SNP spokesman said: "We've still had no clues from the UK government on what their meaningless mantra 'Brexit means Brexit' actually means in practice.

"Even the Tory front bench at Westminster are at loggerheads with the Prime Minister over whether it includes keeping the UK within the single market.

"The reality is that an overwhelming 62% of those who voted in Scotland voted to remain - and that's why Nicola Sturgeon has indicated she will pursue all options to protect our place in Europe, including another referendum on independence if that is the best or only way to protect our interests."