RICKY BURNS was forced to tell arrogant American Terence Crawford to shut up after things got tasty at the weigh-in for their WBO lightweight title fight at a sell-out SECC tonight.

The champion, at 9st 8lbs 4oz was repeatedly taunted by both Crawford - just two ounces heavier - and his big-mouthed trainer Brian McIntyre. McIntyre was eased off the stage by Burns' manager Alex Morrison as things seemed ready to take a turn for the worst.

While Burns gave a mischievous wink to the challenger, Crawford eventually exited centre stage claiming this was "my time" and giving a throat-slitting gesture to a chorus of boos.

Burns revealed: "To be honest I was struggling to hear what Crawford was saying. But he said something about burying me and I just told him to shut up and that he'd get his answer in the ring."

Burns admitted his pride is on the line and revealed just how determined he is to do himself and his country proud after disappointing against Raymundo Beltran and Jose Gonzalez in his last two fights.

The WBO lightweight champion said: "I am a proud Scotsman and I am absolutely determined to make all of my supporters proud tonight. I have prepared for the toughest fight of my life and if Terence Crawford has not done likewise then that will be his problem."

Burns' promoter Eddie Hearn thinks the American's antics on the scales show Crawford's maiden world-title foray is getting to him.

Hearn said: "If Crawford was like that in front of 500 people what will he be like in front of 10,000 screaming Ricky Burns fans tonight?

He added: "They have called Ricky a second-rate amateur and you just don't do that to a world champion who has had 10 world title fights. He should have shown Ricky the same level of respect that he showed Crawford."