Former Scotland boss Craig Brown asked by George Burley to give team talk ahead of Macedonia clash

Aug 31 2008 By Mark Guidi

GEORGE BURLEY last night revealed he has asked super spy Craig Brown to address the Scotland players and pass on his expert inside info about how to beat Macedonia.

Former national team gaffer Brown is part of Burley's backroom staff and has watched the Macedonians to build up a detailed dossier.

Brown was happy to accept Burley's unusual invitation and will speak at length about Macedonia on Thursday night.

Brown - who took Scotland to Euro 96 and France 98 during eight years in charge - will go through DVD footage then hold an open discussion with the players.

Speaking ahead of Saturday's World Cup qualifier in Skopje, Burley said: "We are trying to prepare as best we can. The players have all been sent DVDs of Macedonia and Iceland to help.

"We've also had Craig watching Macedonia for us. I've asked Craig to come to Cameron House to talk to the players and give them as much of an insight as possible.

"Craig has great knowledge of the game and terrific experience. He was the last manager to take us to a major tournament and I felt it was right to utilise his knowledge.

"Some players might want to ask about Macedonia or individual players and he can answer them in detail.

"Paul Hegarty has been doing the same, watching Iceland. He will address the players the night before we fly out there for our second qualifier." Meanwhile, SFA chief executive Gordon Smith has admitted the fixtures dates are not ideal for Scotland.

Smith headed the SFA delegation to Amsterdam in December to thrash out the schedule with Holland, Norway, Macedonia and Iceland. It ended with Scotland having to play three of their first four games away from home.

Smith said: "We negotiated to start with Macedonia at home and that would have evened it out - two home and two away in first four games.

"But at the last moment Macedonia insisted they must have a home game to start. We had to concede otherwise FIFA would have made the draw for us.

"At least the two away matches are against the lower seeds."