GEORGE BURLEY chose the exact same squad of Scotland players who came within a whisker of reaching the Euro 2008 finals for his first get-together as manager.
GEORGE BURLEY chose the exact same squad of Scotland players who came within a whisker of reaching the Euro 2008 finals for his first get-together as manager.
Yet, the new national boss has hinted strongly that changes may be required in the months ahead if we are to do better in our 2010 World Cup qualifying campaign.
The declaration was an early indication that Burley, a surprise choice to succeed Alex McLeish, understands the harsh realities of his new role.
The former Ipswich, Hearts, Derby and Southampton boss said: "A lot of positive things have happened of late and the players feel they have come a long way. There is certainly a great spirit within the camp.
It's South Africa or bust, BazGEORGE BURLEY reckons a fired-up Barry Ferguson will be determined to add a World Cup Finals to his CV before it's too late.The Scotland and Rangers captain has never been to a major tournament with his country and, as he is approaching 30, the 2010 Finals in South Africa could be his last opportunity. Burley will show Scotland's successes from the past to gee up his squad and said: "We will look back at all the great memories, hoping that can inspire this team to 2010. "Barry is coming up for 30 and he will be thinking, I want to lead this team into the Finals'. "Otherwise, it is not going to happen for him or the other experienced players." |
"We have kept the same squad as the one that was involved in the Euros for this meeting. I am very impressed with the players I have available to me.
"We have done tremendously well recently and just missed out on the Euro 2008 Finals. But the bottom line is that the team now has to go forward.
"Now we have to get to an even bigger stage, the World Cup. The qualifiers start in September and we have to look at them and try to get even better.
"I am sure there will be changes for the Croatia game (Burley's first game in charge is a friendly at Hampden in March) so that I can have a look at one or two new players.
"I have to use players who I feel can take us to the World Cup. In the weeks ahead I will assess the form and suitability of the players at my disposal.
"What has gone in the past is finished with. We have to take what we have done in the Euros and try to build on it. There are a lot of different things to look at. I am excited by the challenge."
Not that Burley is threatening to bring an end to the international careers of his squad's elder statesmen - and there are a fair few - quite yet.
No Scotland boss of recent times has been able to discard any player good enough to play at international level lightly and the latest incumbent will be no different.
The likes of Graham Alexander, Christian Dailly, Gary Naysmith and Davie Weir, then, can safeguard their involvement with continued good club form.
Burley continued: "I have squeezed in as many games as I can since I was appointed and have been impressed with a lot of young players coming through.
"The big question for a lot of those guys, though, is this: Are they ready to step up to full international level yet. It is always a difficult transition to make.
"I will make a point of speaking to their club managers about that and ask how they think they will cope with the step up."
One player who found no difficulty making the jump from club football to full international level was Alan Hutton who last week won a £9million move to Tottenham Hotspur.
Burley, who himself played at right-back, said: "Since I have been appointed I have been busy watching games and selecting my squad, but it is nice, finally, to get that personal contact with the players.
"I saw Alan play for Rangers against St Mirren a couple of weeks ago and thought he was a very exciting, attacking full-back. I think going to Spurs will be a big challenge for him.
"He is going to a club where there is a lot of intense competition for places and I think that will really push him on. For his own game, it will be a big test.
"However, I think he is quite capable of being one of the top full-backs in Europe with his attacking qualities. It is good to have him involved with Scotland."
Burley, meanwhile, has defended his choice of assistants; bringing in former England captain Terry Butcher and Celtic player Steven Pressley has ruffled feathers.
He explained: "The criteria was to get top quality people in and I think I have done that.
"Terry is somebody who I know very well from our playing days at Ipswich. I know his family and he has done tremendously well as a player and a manager in Scotland with Motherwell.
"His nationality didn't come into the equation. I needed somebody I knew very well and who would share my thoughts on how to play.
"Steven was my captain at Hearts and was a great leader in the dressing room, on the field and off the field. He is somebody I feel has a big future on the managerial side."
