AN SNP MP has claimed First Minister Humza Yousaf was wrong to say independence is "frustratingly close" in his resignation speech.

After Yousaf announced he would be stepping down on Monday, Stewart McDonald insisted in a Scotsman column that the next leader of the SNP “must acknowledge indyref2 is not "frustratingly close," adding the party cannot keep “pretending otherwise”.

Nominations are now open for the contest to succeed Yousaf, who is staying in post until a successor is found.

No candidates have entered the race officially although former deputy first minister John Swinney has said he is giving “active consideration” to calls for him to succeed Yousaf.

READ MORE: John Curtice delivers verdict on Humza Yousaf resignation

Elsewhere, SNP MSP Fergus Ewing backed former finance secretary Kate Forbes to go for the role.

Yousaf said in his speech at Bute House that independence feels “frustratingly close” and he was “absolutely certain” his successor will achieve it.

But McDonald insisted while the long-term outlook for the Union “remains weak”, a referendum was not on the “immediate horizon” and plenty of hurdles to it remain.

The Glasgow South MP wrote: “The next leader of the SNP must acknowledge that indyref2 is not ‘frustratingly close’.

“Significant political and intellectual hurdles remain, and we can’t keep pretending otherwise.

“Instead of continuing to drink the constitutional Kool Aid, the SNP must focus our political energy on standing up for Scotland against a distant and power-hungry centre in Westminster – no matter what colour rosette its leader wears.

“The political work required on independence will take us time.”

He argued that the SNP had found itself “a victim of its own success”.

READ MORE: 'John Sweeney and Hamza Yousaf': Worst media takes as FM resigns

McDonald said that while the SNP has mainstreamed the issue of independence, it has led to a “proliferation” of pro-independence parties at Holyrood, with three now sitting at Holyrood.

Given this now means the party does not enjoy the same symbiotic relationship it once did with the wider Yes movement, he stressed the SNP must now “redefine its role” in the sphere.

McDonald said: “It must use this opportunity to bring its political project back to the centre ground and focus on delivering on the economic needs and aspirations of people across the country.

“The majority of the Scottish public are worried, first and foremost, about the ongoing cost-of-living crisis. They know as well as party members do – including elected ones – that a referendum is not on the immediate horizon. 

“People across Scotland are looking for their government to recognise this as well.

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“As we move away from the post-referendum era which ended in the second half of this Westminster cycle, we need to recast our message, which also gives us an opportunity to be bold, and re-examine sacred cows.”

The Scottish Conservatives have now withdrawn their motion of no confidence in Yousaf as leader Douglas Ross said it had “achieved its goal” of forcing the First Minister to quit.

However, Yousaf is still set to face a motion of no confidence in his Government as a whole, which has been lodged by Scottish Labour.