Burley: Scotland need win for the road

Aug 17 2008 By Mark Guidi

GEORGE BURLEY will send his Scotland stars out to face Northern Ireland pleading for a home victory before we hit the road for our crunch World Cup double header.

The national gaffer has yet to win a game since taking over in January after drawing against Croatia and losing to Czech Republic.

He is desperate to rectify that unwanted record at Hampden and although it's a friendly, Burley will drum into his players the importance of victory in their final warm-up before World Cup qualifying starts next month with away fixtures in Macedonia and Iceland.

Burley (right) said: "We look to win every game although our previous matches have been against two of the top sides in Europe.

"This is the last time we will be together before the serious stuff starts and it's so important to win. Northern Ireland will be a tough test and have real talent in Kyle Lafferty and David Healy. They beat Georgia 4-1 recently and that shows their capabilities.

"But we're at home and must have belief, be positive and take the game to them because that's what we'll try to do in Macedonia.

"I will ask the midfielders to play as high up as possible and get into scoring positions.

"Paul Hartley, Darren Fletcher, Scott Brown and Barry Robson are all capable of getting goals. It's vital to get into the habit of scoring as World Cup qualifying might be tight so a few goals could make the difference."

Burley has the likes of James McFadden, Kenny Miller and Kris Boyd to provide firepower up front but has still to decide if all three should start in midweek.

Miller has had a tough start at Rangers where he's been booed by fans while Boyd has yet to convince Walter Smith he is the real deal. McFadden has talent but is showcasing it in the English Championship.

Burley said: "This is the first time I will have the chance to play James. He will have an attacking role because he has an abundance of talent and can unlock defences.

"He's not playing in the Premiership but is it better to only play a few games there or every week in the Championship? Kenny is another experienced striker. He knew it wouldn't be straightforward at Rangers but I've no fears he can handle it."

Burley will only make three or four subs against Nigel Worthington's men because he wants to field most of the side that will start against Macedonia on September 6.

He said: "Seven or eight from this game will start the first qualifier. Craig Gordon has made the No.1 spot his own and we hope to have Alan Hutton back for Macedonia.

Gary Caldwell and Stephen McManus are gaining experience all the time.

I want them to become the modern day Miller-McLeish partnership."

Northern Ireland will bring almost 6000 fans and Burley is urging the Tartan Army to also turn out in force.

He said: "We want to win in front of our fans with a good performance."