Angus Robertson has said he does not expect to face a challenge to his leadership of the SNP’s Westminster group in this parliament.
The Moray MP dismissed the suggestion, insisting the group was “content about the impact we are making”.
He added: “I think we have proven ourselves to be an effective opposition in Westminster and I am confident the course we are steering is the right one.”
Asked whether that meant there was a lack of ambition among the SNP MPs, he replied: “There should be no limit on the ambition of SNP parliamentarians.
“We have got a huge job to do as MPs to represent our constituencies, as spokespeople, as committee members and as a part of the wider SNP team.
“Our focus at the moment is very much on the Scottish Parliament elections.”
Mr Robertson was also questioned about his longer-term career goals and the role he would like to take up in an independent Scotland.
He rejected the idea he spends any time thinking beyond his current job as “totally misplaced”.
He added: “I have enough to be getting on with at Westminster without having to think about other issues.
“The work that is involved in transitioning the SNP from a party of six parliamentarians – 1% of MPs – to being the effective opposition at Westminster and having a serious job to do in the chamber, in committees, it is a massive undertaking for me and all my colleagues.
“It is a full-time job. Of course I hope to get to a position where Scotland does become independent as quickly as possible, but that’s only going to happen when the people of Scotland want it to happen.
“Before then, we have a lot to be getting on with.”
