Gordon backs Burley credentials for Scotland job

Scotland goalkeeper Craig Gordon insists his former Hearts boss George Burley can be an outstanding national team manager.

Scotland goalkeeper Craig Gordon insists his former Hearts boss George Burley can be an outstanding national team manager.

Burley is expected to be formally announced as the new Scotland boss before the end of the week.

The Scottish Football Association board will today meet to ratify the interview panel’s choice of preferred candidate, who is understood to be Southampton manager Burley.

And Sunderland shot-stopper Gordon, who played under Burley at Hearts in the early part of the 2005-06 season, expects the 51-year-old to make a successful transition to international football.

“In the short time that he was there (at Hearts) he made a huge impact,” Gordon told BBC Radio Scotland.

“I think it’s important for Scotland to continue what we have been doing and to continue the progress which has been made.

“He has managed in a lot of different leagues, he’s managed in the top league in England and in Scotland, so he does have the experience of different styles of player, and he also had Ipswich in Europe for a season, so he has got the experience of different styles of player. I’m sure he’ll use that if it does indeed come about.

“He’s a good lad to have about.

“He’s good fun and he likes to join in with the players and he does a lot of the training himself.

“From the international point of view, that’ll be good to keep the spirit we do have in the camp.”

Gordon is not concerned that Burley has limited experience of European football.

“The only way you’re going to get that experience is by doing the job,” he said.

“It’s good that we’re appointing another Scot who knows the players and the teams in the Scottish game.

“I think that’s important for us, to keep our identity.”

Burley’s spell with Hearts was short and ended after a fall-out with the board.

He took charge of only 12 games but had led Hearts to the top of the Scottish Premier League after a run of results which included eight consecutive wins.

Former Hearts chairman George Foulkes expects Burley to be just as successful as Walter Smith and Alex McLeish.

It was differences with current Hearts chief Vladimir Romanov which prompted Burley’s shock Tynecastle exit.

Foulkes said: “I know enough about George from his time at Hearts and my dealings with him during that period to say I’m absolutely certain he’d make a superb Scotland manager. There’s no doubt he’s a top-class candidate.”

Foulkes added, in the Daily Record: “We were top of the SPL when he left the club and enjoying our best start to a season since 1914. His parting of the ways at the club came because he didn’t get on with Romanov – and that applies to a lot of people.

“There’s tremendous enthusiasm among the Tartan Army who are waiting for a new manager to get the team into a position where we can qualify for the World Cup finals in 2010. George Burley can do that.”

Hearts striker Michal Pospisil was one of Burley’s signings, and the Czech player hopes the Ayrshire man will do well with Scotland.

Pospisil told The Sun: “We played good football at Hearts and that was because of George.

“We played an aggressive game that was all about attacking and putting balls into the box. You can see from the results we had how well it worked.”

Pospisil added: “I only have positive memories from my time working with him and I think he would be a really good choice.”

more courts articles

Man (25) in court charged with murdering his father and attempted murder of mother Man (25) in court charged with murdering his father and attempted murder of mother
Man appears in court charged with false imprisonment of woman in van Man appears in court charged with false imprisonment of woman in van
Man in court over alleged false imprisonment of woman Man in court over alleged false imprisonment of woman

More in this section

Nottingham Forest 1979 European Cup Winners Larry Lloyd, former Nottingham Forest and Liverpool defender, dies aged 75
Camogie Association targets record-breaking 50,000 All-Ireland final attendance Camogie Association targets record-breaking 50,000 All-Ireland final attendance
Aston Villa v Arsenal - Barclays Women's Super League - Villa Park McCabe's Oz trip with Arsenal 'far from ideal'
Sport Push Notifications

By clicking on 'Sign Up' you will be the first to know about our latest and best sporting content on this browser.

Sign Up
Sport
Newsletter

Latest news from the world of sport, along with the best in opinion from our outstanding team of sports writers

Sign up
Cookie Policy Privacy Policy Brand Safety FAQ Help Contact Us Terms and Conditions

© Examiner Echo Group Limited