Burley adamant 'boozegate' will strengthen Scotland squad unity

GEORGE Burley believes he has emerged from the dramatic events of the past month as a stronger and wiser manager with the full backing of a Scotland squad capable of reaching the World Cup finals in South Africa next year.

As the fall-out from the expulsion of Barry Ferguson and Allan McGregor from international football continues to settle, Burley admitted yesterday to having been both startled and dismayed by the incidents which prompted the action against the Rangers players.

The Scotland manager's own role in a disciplinary process clumsily handled by the SFA has been questioned, but Burley insists he is firmly in control of his players.

Speaking at a media event organised by Scotland team partner Nationwide Building Society, Burley expressed his certainty that there will never be a repeat of the drinking session and subsequent misconduct which prompted the demise of Ferguson and McGregor as international footballers.

"This was definitely a one-off situation," said Burley. "People do make mistakes, but it's important it never happens again, as I told the players at the time.

"There are some things you can't influence and some things you don't particularly like dealing with, but you have to take it on your shoulders and get on with it.

"As a manager, you have to manage situations and I've had to do that over the last year. With the national job, you are in the spotlight all the time.

"I've been surprised and disappointed (by what's happened]. You can't foresee those sort of things happening. You have to be strong and make the decisions you feel are right. You need to back your own judgment.

"I would hope that the 15 years experience I've had as a manager has given me that strength to come through it all. You can't be influenced by people who don't think what you are doing is right. With any managerial job, you hope that you learn, get stronger and improve. I had some very successful times at Ipswich, then left the year after we were relegated. I got to the play-offs with Derby and Southampton and had my spell at Hearts, so I've had a fair bit of success.

"There were some things reported after the Iceland game which were not right, such as the number of players (involved], who said this and who gave them permission for that.

"But that's gone now. We tried to make it clear exactly what happened, it's now a case of looking forward. Hopefully we are stronger because of it.

"You try to make sure that it doesn't happen again. You need to be positive, get the right people to do the job and hopefully get success."

Burley feels the players under his command for the three remaining World Cup Group 9 qualifiers fully respect his authority and he anticipates no further disciplinary difficulties.

"I've never had any problems before as far as that is concerned," he added. "I've got a great relationship with a lot of the players.

"I don't see any problems in the squad. Unfortunately, sometimes life throws problems up, but I've got no fears about the players. I was very pleased with their attitude and commitment in the last game.

"It wasn't an easy build-up to it. There were a lot of major decisions I had to make that evening and thankfully it worked. It's not been an easy time. But you are judged on performances and I think we are progressing.

"We are in pole position for the play-off place, although we know it is going to be very difficult. The most important thing is to try and get everyone pulling in the one direction."

Burley concedes he has found international management to be a frustrating exercise but says he has taken encouragement from the backing he has received from Scotland supporters.

"The national job is totally different," he said. "I miss the day-to-day involvement with the players, getting to know them and being on the training ground every day where you can influence them as a coach.

"In the national job, you can't influence their style of play or their progression because you only see them for a few days every few months. You can't change them, you can't be too complicated. You just try to put them together with a system which can be successful.

"From day one, the Tartan Army have been magnificent towards me. They have been very supportive. You want the whole country to be together, but sometimes it isn't.

"You are going to have ups and downs. We are not a national team with loads of world class players. But I think we are showing we have some youngsters coming through, we are evolving as a side and getting stronger."

SCOTLAND B SQUAD

(for Tennent's international challenge match against Northern Ireland, at Broadwood Stadium, 6 May at 7.30pm)

GOALKEEPERS

David Marshall (Norwich)
Iain Turner (Everton)

DEFENDERS

Darren Barr (Falkirk)
Scott Cuthbert(Celtic)
Brian Easton (Hamilton)
Steven Hammell (Motherwell)
Mark Reynolds (Motherwell)
Mark Wilson (Celtic)

MIDFIELDERS

Scott Arfield (Falkirk)
Barry Bannan (Aston Villa)
Craig Bryson (Kilmarnock)
Graham Dorrans (West Brom)
Stephen Hughes (Motherwell)
Ross Wallace (Preston)

STRIKERS

David Clarkson (Motherwell)
Paul Gallacher (Blackburn)
Steven Naismith (Rangers)

*One further name expected to be added to the squad.