Scotland manager George Burley has described his reign as national coach as ‘testing’ during the announcement of the Scotland ‘B’ squad to face Northern Ireland next week.
Burley’s patience and managerial skills were tested to the limit following the boozegate affair at Cameron House after the squad returned from the World Cup qualifier with Holland, but the national coach stopped short of admitting a ‘code of conduct’ had been introduced to the squad as a whole.
During the game with Iceland, Barry Ferguson and Alan McGregor made gestures whilst sitting in the technical area and that eventually led to both being banned from ever playing for Scotland again.
“Well there has been some testing equations- put it that way – since I’ve been manager,” said Burley. “My thoughts have always been though to qualify for the World Cup.
“I said that after the Iceland game, my priority was to get the three points and put in a good performance.
“But you get tested and that’s what life is all about.
“I think its more things of common sense really and basic stuff, so what’s done is done.
“We’ve got to look forward and as I keep saying for me as a manager, I had to manage the situation and manage it the best way for the squad, which I did.
“And I was very pleased with the performance against Iceland and we have to make sure we’re right for the Norway game and of course the two important games to follow against Macedonia and the Holland game for the last one.”