Burley staying positive

Scotland boss not dwelling on defeat

Last updated: 8th September 2008   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Burley staying positive

Burley: Still confident

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George Burley is refusing to dwell on the defeat to Macedonia as he looks to get Scotland back on track.

Scotland lost 1-0 in Skopje in their opening World Cup qualifier and now head to Iceland knowing that another slip-up would severely dent their hopes of reaching the tournament in South Africa.

However, Burley was satisfied with the efforts of his players on Saturday and is now 'doubly determined' to succeed in Reykjavik.

"I am upbeat and I'm looking forward to it," said Burley. "It's a big game and a big challenge.

"It's easy for people to knock us but we've had one game and I wasn't disappointed with the commitment and attitude the players showed in the second half, so let's take it on to the next game."

Scotland have yet to win in four games under Burley but he insists he is in the job for the long haul and has urged the nation to get behind him.

Supportive

He explained: "It's not easy qualifying for World Cups, as previous managers will tell you. You have to work hard, get a few breaks, and be committed for the full length.

"That's what I'm going to do, I'm going to give my country everything, the players are giving everything. We are certainly not downbeat.

"When I took the job people said 'let's be supportive of the new manager giving it everything'.

"We want continuity because Walter Smith didn't stay long, Alex McLeish didn't stay long. Things change in football and, if we can get a win in Iceland, that changes things.

"That's the way football works and I'm certainly not going to give up.

"I'm going to be doubly determined - and it's the same with the squad - to try to get the right result in Iceland."

Pressure

Burley is already under pressure and he is anticipating another tricky game on Wednesday night.

He feels confident that Scotland can pick up three points but does not believe defeat would spell the end of their qualifying campaign.

"It would be very difficult but certainly possible," said Burley.

"You never give in, you keep working hard. We've played one game so far and I thought we deserved a point.

"We go into the next game and we have to try to pick up points. International football is very competitive, every game is hard and it's a tough group.

"We have to go there and try to win.

"If we beat Iceland, we go above them after two away games. We have to take the positives from the second-half display in Macedonia.

"Against Iceland it will be more of a British game and it won't be played in 100 degrees heat."