Boyd to stay unavailable for Scotland under Burley

Published on Thursday 17 September 2009 22:48

KRIS Boyd has blown away any suggestions that he could be persuaded to return to the international fold after saying he would rather spend another two years in the wilderness than play under Scotland manager George Burley.

The Rangers striker, 26, would have ended his self-imposed exile from the Scotland squad had Burley lost his job this week. But the national team manager looks set to remain in charge for at least another year after receiving the "full backing" of the Scottish Football Association.

Burley could now continue as Scotland manager until the 2012 European Championship finals. He said this week that he would have no problem picking any player as long as he made himself available for selection.

But Boyd, who said in October last year he would not play for Scotland again while Burley remained in charge, has no intention of changing his mind.

"I've said enough; I'm not going back down that road. I've made my decision and I'll stick by it," he said. "I'll wait two years if it is two years. We'll see what happens."

Speaking at an event to promote ESPN's coverage of Rangers' Clydesdale Bank Premier League game at Kilmarnock, Boyd also said he will not quit Rangers next summer if he fails to secure a place in Walter Smith's Champions League plans.

Smith has repeatedly overlooked Boyd for European games. On Wednesday night, top goalscorer Boyd sat on the bench while Rangers opened their Champions League Group G account with a 1-1 draw at Stuttgart.

The 26-year-old, whose contract expires at the end of the season, said he would not treat his Rangers manager the same way as Burley should he continue to be frozen out at his club.