Burley's focus on World Cup not altered by Euro 2016 bid

GEORGE Burley has thrown his weight behind Scotland's bid to host the 2016 European Championships – but insists his sole focus is guiding his team to a major tournament through qualification.

The national team manager has welcomed the news Scotland and Wales are at the centre of a plan to stage the finals together in eight years' time.

Tentative talks have taken place between the Celtic nations over co-hosting the tournament, which is being expanded to 24 teams, making it difficult for small countries to stage the event alone.

Northern Ireland have also been linked with a joint bid although it appears Scotland would favour a partnership with Wales due to their stadia.

Submissions are likely to be sought by the spring of next year and the tournament expansion may see the number of suitable grounds required rise from eight to at least 10.

Scottish Football Association president George Peat has already expressed his fears about the increased number of stadia required, but Burley is certainly behind the proposal.

However, with Scotland in the throes of a stuttering World Cup qualifying campaign, Burley admits ending the nation's 12-year absence from a major finals is more pressing.

Speaking at a school coaching event in Falkirk organised by Nationwide Building Society, official partner of the Scotland team, the 52-year-old said: "I'd be delighted if we got 2016.

"I think everybody in Scotland would be delighted if we could host or part-host a major championships. But it's early days and we'll just have to see how things pan out.

"I think it would have to be a joint bid, given the amount of teams they are talking about now for the European Championships. We'll just have to wait and see how it goes.

"But it's a million miles away in my thoughts. My thoughts are only for South Africa, that's my only thoughts. One step at a time and that's exactly what we're doing."

Long-suffering Scotland fans, while sure to embrace the 2016 bid, would perhaps want to qualify outright for a finals rather than host them and Burley concurred.

He added: "I would agree with that. I would rather qualify for South Africa than anything else right now."

Burley is facing months of inactivity before the Group 9 double-header in the Netherlands and at home to Iceland from the end of next March.

A stalwart of club management from his time at Ipswich, Derby, Hearts and Southampton, it is a tricky time for him, but he has vowed to keep busy ahead of two crucial matches.

He added: "It's difficult as such because you're not working with your players for long periods.

"This period is going to be two to three months. You're going about watching, speaking to a few players, watching how their form is going.

"I also do functions like this, trying to promote things.

"We haven't changed our thoughts about trying to qualify for the World Cup. It's exciting, but the games don't come about too often so you've got to be ready for them."

Burley also confirmed he will not be taking advantage of the free international date in February to play a friendly.

Perhaps mindful of the criticism after the 1-0 defeat to Argentina at Hampden last month, he will instead have training sessions with his squad.

He said: "February is now a get-together, we'll have two or three good training sessions to prepare for Holland and Iceland.

"By that time of the year, there are a lot of tough games and I think we'll get just us much out of it with training sessions rather than a game."

Meanwhile, the SFA has conceded defeat in their bid to get next year's crucial World Cup qualifier in Norway moved from August to October.

Burley wanted the fixture put back because he feared playing such a potentially decisive game before the league season begins in Scotland, but the

Norwegian FA refused to budge and have received the support of Fifa.

SFA chief executive Gordon Smith said: "We're disappointed with the decision but at least now the date has been clarified so Scotland supporters can finally make their travel arrangements."