Burley: Building trust

You need to have a good relationship with all managers and have a bit of trust.

Scotland boss George Burley
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Scotland manager George Burley confesses he will be 'sympathetic' towards the two Old Firm clubs before naming his first squad.

The former Southampton boss takes charge of Scotland for the first time in the friendly meeting with Croatia at Hampden Park on 26th March.

However, Burley's bow comes three days before table-topping Rangers and Celtic meet in the Scottish Premier League.

And Burley admits he will hold discussions with Rangers manager Walter Smith and Celtic boss Gordon Strachan as he looks to build a trusting relationship.

Communication

"You need to have a good relationship with all managers and have a bit of trust," Burley told the Daily Record.

"Of course I will speak with them beforehand because communication is very important.

"You will be sympathetic and listen to managers but you have to make your own conclusions. Trust is key in the Scottish scenario.

"It has been a hectic schedule for a number of reasons and it will be a congested end to the season for the Old Firm.

Croatia result

"But you have to take everything into consideration. It is an international week and it is my first game which is very important.

"I will speak with the managers and assess from the players' point of view what is going to be best for them."

Burley, though, insists he will be targeting a win against Croatia as he looks ahead to Scotland's first World Cup 2010 qualifier against Macedonia on 6th September.

"For me the international week comes first but you have to take into consideration other factors," Burley added.

"September is the big date and hopefully we will have a team who start the campaign on the front foot and naturally I want to put out a strong squad to get a result against Croatia."