Burley believes 17 points will secure qualification

IF GEORGE Burley has a worry over Scotland's forthcoming World Cup double-header in Macedonia and Iceland, it is that an adverse result or two in those opening matches will see the onset of a national epidemic of doom and gloom.

In announcing a 25-man squad that contained only mild surprises yesterday, the manager also issued a reminder of the need for realistic expectations and that a longer-term overview should be taken of an eight-match campaign that will almost certainly be marked by set-backs.

It was not difficult to form the impression that Burley may have been contemplating the possible effects of the optimism and sense of anticipation that followed the Scots' creditable performances in the Euro 2008 qualifying series last year and concluded that it was time for a sober appraisal of their prospects of progressing from a group that also includes Holland and Norway.

"Of course, we're desperate to get to the finals in South Africa in two years' time," said Burley. "The whole country is, because we haven't taken part in one of these championships for ten years. That will be 12 by the time the World Cup is played.

"But people have to realise that it won't be easy. We are a small nation and we have the difficulties that brings.

"I was asked recently what I thought would be the number of points needed to qualify and I said 17.

"That would mean taking just over two points a game and it is based on the fact that we took exactly two points a game in the European qualifying and just missed out.

"Whether that total would get us first place or second place in this group remains to be seen, but the point is that it is the target over the course of eight matches, not just two.

"So the objective has to be seen in the long term, rather than the short term. I just hope people realise that it won't be easy.

"After all, it's the biggest tournament in the world and, therefore, the toughest.

"We could make a great start and expectations could be raised, but it's where you finish that matter. I mean, there's no point in being ahead at the halfway stage and then being out of the qualifying places by the time it's over.

"I will say, though, that points earned away from home in this tournament are very valuable and I would think that taking four from the two matches we have coming up would be very good indeed.

"I know we have a poor record in friendly matches at home, but our form at Hampden in competition is very good. But, then again, that's in the past and really has no relevance. It's what we do in our next home matches that matters in terms of getting to South Africa."

In pursuit of his primary objective, Burley seems certain to rely on experience, although the squad is fairly balanced between veterans and comparative novices.

The fruition of any plans, however, will be initially reliant on the players concerned remaining unscathed through their club commitments at the week-end.

Burley may spend the next four days on his knees, since he insist he already has "a clear view" of the team he wants to field in Skopje on Saturday week. He is also admirably philosophical in the matter of injuries to important players, as he revealed when acknowledging that the absence of Tottenham Hotspur's Alan Hutton from right-back and captain Barry Ferguson from midfield is more of a hindrance than a help.

"Hutton is a blow, of course, because he has shown himself over the past couple of years to be one of the top quality right-backs in Britain," he said. "Barry has all the experience you would want.

"But there's no point in whingeing, or making excuses, or worrying about it. It's happened and nothing will change that.

"We have a squad and others have come in and done well. If you look at Graham Alexander as an example of that, you'll see what I mean. He's full of experience and hasn't let anyone down. I've always said that, for competitions like the World Cup, you need a lot of experience.

"We have been able to bring in some younger players to get them some of that experience and we have a good blend of the older and younger players. I've a clear view in my mind of what the team will be, but, of course, that depends on how the players come through the weekend."

Burley insisted, however, that only players who were properly incapacitated by injury would be ruled out of contention and that the less serious would not necessarily prevent selection.

"For friendly matches, we don't take any chances whatsoever," he said. "Even if a player has a slight niggle, we'll send him back to his club, because it's not worth the risk. But, for the World Cup, if it's the kind of relatively minor injury he can play through, he will play.

"I speak to club managers regularly and they understand the situation for important competitive internationals. They know how much it means to everybody in the country and they're fine with that. I don't anticipate any problems in that area."

Curfew imposed as total focus is demanded during bid to 'make history'

GEORGE Burley is set to impose a curfew on Scotland's players during the international break.

Burley faces his first competitive matches in charge of the national side when they play a World Cup qualifying double-header in Macedonia and Iceland next month.

The Scotland manager, who names his squad for both games this morning, will lay down clear guidelines for players to follow throughout the 10 days they are under his supervision. "There is a code of conduct that I will put in place with the guys in the squad," Burley revealed. They are representing their country and they are well aware of that. We have not had any problems with them.

"We are with each other for a very short period, so it is important they represent Scotland in the right way during that time. Our focus is on the World Cup. We have eight games, eight difficult games, in which to try to reach South Africa. They can make history if we qualify because it has been 10 years already since Scotland last qualified.

"We return on the Saturday evening after Macedonia and the players will be allowed to head home to their families.

"But they will be in for training on the Sunday before we then head to Iceland on the Tuesday. It is a tough schedule. The Old Firm guys are playing on Sunday and reporting to me with Scotland on the Monday but that's life as a professional footballer.

"The international fixtures are always sandwiched in between big club games, with Norway coming to Hampden in October. They will be reminded of what we want and expect from them. I will be speaking to them (about the Saturday night]. They will be well aware we have another World Cup qualifier on the Wednesday and that they are representing their countries. I do not foresee any problems."

Meanwhile, Burley has returned Steven Fletcher to Scotland's Under-21 squad, which was named yesterday. Ross McCormack, the Cardiff City forward, is included.

SCOTLAND U21 SQUAD (for Uefa Under-21 Championship Group 6 qualifiers against Slovenia on 4 September and in Denmark on 9 September): MacDonald (Hearts), McLean (St Johnstone), Smith (St Mirren); Caddis (Celtic), Considine (Aberdeen), Cuthbert (Celtic), Kenneth (Dundee United), Reynolds (Motherwell), Wallace (Hearts); Arfield (Falkirk), Conroy (Celtic), Hamill (Kilmarnock), McArthur (Hamilton), McDonald (Burnley), Mulgrew (Aberdeen), Robertson (Dundee United), Stevenson (Hibernian); Campbell (Hibernian), Dorrans (West Brom), Elliot (Hearts), Fletcher (Hibernian), Lennon (Rangers), McCormack (Cardiff).